he
others, I shall make use of one quotation more, and this I shall borrow
from Mr. Bayle.[1] "There is no room to doubt," says he, "but some
readers will judge, that there are a little too many quotations in this
work, which is no less a disorder, they will say, than what happens in
some cities, where the strangers are more numerous than the citizens.
But of what importance is it to travellers, that such disorder appears
in any country, provided they find in it honest folks. There is no
reason why reading may not be compared to travelling. We should
therefore be very little concerned, whether, according to the ancient
country frugality, we are entertained with what is of its proper growth;
or if, instead of the flesh of domestic animals, and the fruits of our
own vineyards and gardens, we are served with what comes from the
market. That which really is of consequence is, that the meat be
wholesome and well dressed, and the wine good, &c. _Unde habeat quaerat
nemo, sufficit habere._"

As to the rest, I am very far from the sentiments of a certain writer,
who having found in his book _one_ fault only, consulted one of his
friends, whether he should put down Errata or Erratum. For my part,
I subscribe with all my heart to the Errata of Benserade, and in his
words frankly own, that

Pour moy, parmi des fautes innombrables,
Je n'en connois que deux considerables,
Et dont je fais ma declaration,
C'est l'entreprise et l'execution,
A mon avis fautes irreparables,
En ce volume.

Though num'rous faults I see in this small book,
(And so may any one that will but look),
I know but _two_ of much consideration,
Of which I here make public declaration,
The _undertaking_ and the _execution_,
Faults too extravagant for absolution.

[Footnote 1: Pref. des Rep. aux Quest. d'un Pr. T. 1.]

CONTENTS.

Page.
CHAP. I. That one must be Merry 1
CHAP. II. That Wine drives away Sorrow, and excites Mirth 16
CHAP. III. That it is good for one's Health
to get Drunk sometimes 29
CHAP. IV. That old People ought to get Drunk sometimes 35
CHAP. V. That Wine creates Wit 38
CHAP. VI. That Wine makes one Eloquent 46
CHAP. VII. That Wine acquires Friends,