He certainly frequented the coffee-houses of Covent Garden and Pall Mall.
Also, he roamed about the metropolis, and became learned in the highways and byways, north and south, and east and west--a knowledge which bore excellent fruit in "Trivia." But I, who ne'er was bless'd by Fortune's hand, Nor brighten'd plough-shares in paternal land.
Long in the noisy town have been immured, Respired its smoke, and all its cares endured.
Where news and politics divide mankind, And schemes of state involve th' uneasy mind.[4] Gay was then, as ever, a great eater.

"As the French philosopher used to prove his existence by _cogito, ergo sum_," Congreve wrote to Pope long after, "the greatest proof of Gay's existence is _edit, ergo est_."[5] He ate in excess always, and not infrequently drank too much, and for exercise had no liking, though he was not averse from a ramble around London streets.

As the years passed, he became fat, but found comfort in the fact that some of his intimates were yet more corpulent.

To this, he made humorous reference in "Mr.Pope's Welcome from Greece":-- And wondering Maine so fat, with laughing eyes, (Gay, Maine and Cheney,[6] boon companions dear, Gay fat, Maine fatter, and Cheney huge of size).
Gay had a passion for finery.

To this foible Pope, in the early days of his acquaintance with the young man, made reference in a letter to Swift, December 8th, 1713: "One Mr.Gay, an unhappy youth, who writes pastorals during the time of Divine Service, whose case is the more deplorable, as he hath miserably lavished away all that silver he should have reserved for his soul's health, in buttons and loops for his coat." Gay was not only well aware of this weakness, but he deplored it, though he could never contrive to overcome it.