twelve o’clock at night
But he was soon cured of this method of buying off disputes , by the increasing multitude of those who , out of pure regard to his honour , came ` to get justice from him , because they would sooner come before him than before any man in all Ireland . ' -- We should observe , this custom has long since been banished from the higher orders of Irish gentry . The mysteries of a raking pot of tea , like those of the Bona Dea , are supposed to be sacred to females ; but now and then it has happened that some of the male species , who were either more audacious , or more highly favoured than the rest of their sex , have been admitted by stealth to these orgies . The time when the festive ceremony begins varies according to circumstances , but it is never earlier than twelve o'clock at night ; the joys of a raking pot of tea depending on its being made in secret , and at an unseasonable hour . After a ball , when the more discreet part of the company has departed to rest , a few chosen female spirits , who have footed it till they can foot it no longer , and till the sleepy notes expire under the slurring hand of the musician , retire to a bedchamber , call the favourite maid , who alone is admitted , bid her PUT DOWN THE KETTLE , lock the door , and amidst as much giggling and scrambling as possible , they get round a tea-table , on which all manner of things are huddled together . Then begin mutual railleries and mutual confidences amongst the young ladies , and the faint scream and the loud laugh is heard , and the romping for letters and pocket-books begins , and gentlemen are called by their surnames , or by the general name of fellows ! pleasant fellows !