nations the best regulated, and most polite, this essay of
drinking deep was very much in use[9].

The Greeks, whom one may look upon as the only nation of the world for
politeness and good sense, are a proof of what I advance. They
celebrated the feasts of Bacchus with a great deal of solemnity; it is
from them that Pergraecari, of which every one knows the signification,
is derived. AElian assures us, that they were so very luxurious, that
they put perfumed oils into their wine, which they called wine of myrrh.

The Romans had also a very strong passion for wine, so that at Rome
there were frequently very great seditions for want of it. _Seditiones
sunt concitatae graves ob inopiam vini_[10], says Ammianus Marcellinus,
in the Life of Constantius and Gallus; and in the reign of Constantius
only, the same historian says, there was a sedition also upon that very
account.

Titus Livius tells us, that the Clusians passed the Alps, and came to
inhabit the country that the Etrurians possessed before, to have the
pleasure of drinking wine[11].

Let us now descend to some nations, with whom, at present, this custom
of getting drunk is received.

Sir Paul Ricaut[12] assures us, that the Turks considering that wine
rejoices the heart, and comforts the stomach, have begun to drink it;
adding, that at present there are only a few (ulamah) ecclesiastical
hypocrites or some ignorant bigots, or superannuated people, that
abstain from that liquor; but at the same time drunkenness is grown very
common amongst them.

M. Du Mont confirms this truth, "As to wine," says he, "though it be as
expressly forbidden as swine's flesh, it is nevertheless very certain
that a great many Mahometans transgress that precept; and the justest
thing that I can say in that respect is, that abstinence from wine is
observed there almost after the same manner as Lent in France[13]."

The Persians too drink wine to excess, though their law forbids the use
of it; and they say for an excuse, "That it is to pass away the time,
and sweeten the cares that surprise them[14]."

The Armenians are no way behind the Persians, if we may believe
Tavernier, who says, that with them, "He that treats thinks he has
handsomely acquitted himself of his entertainment, if his guests cannot
find the door when they have a mind to go home, which would very often
happen, without the assistance of their servants, who lead them, and yet
have not power enough sometimes to keep