observing how pat every Thing happens: The
_French_ Society met on _Thursdays_. So the News tells us, the _English_
do; with this good difference: The _French_ met after they had din'd.
The _English_, they say, dine together, and drink a chearful Glass
afterwards; which has great Efficacy in Matters of Wit and Eloquence, as
well for those that are to _write_, as those that are to _reward_. Wine
is therefore call'd _Generous_, and is as nearly ally'd to Wit, as Wit
is to Madness. How much wittier are some Men over the third Bottle than
over the first! A strong Reason that the Meeting should be at a Tavern,
and not any private House, which the _French_ Academy found very
inconvenient; for whenever the Members, at whose Houses they met, took a
Fancy to Marry, their Wives turn'd the Wits out of Doors; as it happen'd
in the Case of Monsieur _Conrart_ and some others. Thus they were driven
from one place to another, till their Protector got them a Room in the
King's own Palace; which cannot conveniently be done in _England_ whilst
Lodgings are so scarce: And therefore I hope they will drink on as they
do, till _Whitehall_ is rebuilt. And here I will leave them for the
present: When their two other Members are chosen, it may perhaps be not
unseasonable to acquaint the Publick with the further Progress of this
hopeful Society; and to shew all the World how far we not only imitate
or copy, but even excel our Friends the _French_. In the mean time,
I hope, some of their best Writers will be order'd to give us a short
Touch or Essay of their Eloquence, upon _our late Glorious Enterprize
against the +French+, on +Tuesday+ the 20th of this present +May+, under
the Command of his Grace the D. of +Orm--d+._

_FINIS._

* * * * *
* * * *

_THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETY_

Announces Its

_Publications for the Third Year (1948-1949)_

[Transcriber's Note:
Where available, Project Gutenberg e-text numbers are shown in
brackets, along with other information. Some announced titles were
published in a later year, or not at all.]

_At least two_ items will be printed from each of the _three_
following groups:

Series IV: Men, Manners, and Critics

Sir John Falstaff (pseud.), _The Theatre_ (1720). [15999]
Aaron Hill, Preface to _The Creation_; and Thomas Brereton,
Preface to _Esther_. [15870: Hill article, and anonymous art