Toddy ladle

Maker’s mark: “DG” Dumfries town marks: fouled anchor, unicorn’s head   This ladle was used to serve the hot spirit based drink, toddy.  Toddy was a mixture of whisky, hot water, honey or sugar, spices such as cinnamon and cloves and lemon juice.  People drank it when they were relaxing in the evening, or after they had been out in bad weather.   “As the ladies left the dining room hot water would be brought in.  It was customary to mix the hot water, whiskey and sugar in a goblet or tumbler, then with the little silver ladles which were always provided, a couple of measures were ladled out into a wine glass, so the rest of the drink remained hot.”   From Avenue of Ancestors, by Alice Maxwell   "The same night we took supper with a wealthy family, where we had much pleasant communion together, although the bringing in of the toddy bowl after supper is a fashion that has a tendency to lengthen the sederunt to unseasonable hours."   From The Ayrshire Legatees, by John Galt