dram called
All-fours, which have such wonderful effects on the wretched commonalty.

[Footnote 1: Virgil.] [[_Georgics_ I.54.]]

[Footnote 2: Const. et Jul. lib. 16.]

[[Footnote 2a: Virgil, _Georgics_ III.376-380.]]

[Footnote 3: P. 126, ed. 1594.]

[Footnote 4: L'Emer. des Alim. part iii. ch. 2.]

[Footnote 5: T. 1, lib. v. ch. 17.]

CHAP. XIX.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS IN FAVOUR OF DRUNKENNESS.

Drunkenness will (and ought to do so) appear excusable to people the
most sober, if they would but make these two reflections following, viz.

I. _That drunkards are not generally given to lewdness._

Aristotle says, "That too much drinking makes one very improper for the
acts of Venus, and gives his reasons. Athenaeus reports the same thing in
that passage, where he makes mention of the drunkenness of Alexander the
Great, a vice," says he, "which, perhaps, was the cause of his little
inclination for the ladies."

Montaigne[1] speaks very well on this article, "These," says he, "are
two things which vigorously oppose each other; this weakens our stomach
on one hand; whereas, on the other, sobriety serves to make us more
quaint and delicate in the exercise of love."

Ovid[2] says much the same thing.

"Vina parant animum veneri, nisi plurima sumas,
Ut stupeant multo corda sepulta mero."

Wine, not too much, inspires, and makes the mind
To the soft joys of Venus strong inclin'd,
Which buried in excess, unapt to love,
Stupidly lies, and knows not how to move.

II. _That in those countries where they do not drink to excess, they are
very much addicted to debauchery._

It is certain, that in hot countries they drink a great deal less
than they do in cold, but in lieu of that, lewdness reigns much more.
Montaigne[3], after having observed, that they began to drink less
than they used to do, adds, "Does any one think it tends to amendment?
No, indeed; but, perhaps, we are much more given to whoring than our
forefathers."

This puts me in mind of an Italian, who having reproached a German with
the drunkenness of his country, by these verses, viz.

"Germani multos possunt tolerare labores
O utinam possint tam tolerare sitim."

The Germans (patient) toil, inur'd to pain,
Oh! could they but their thirst so well sustain!

The German answered him extempore in these other two:--

"Ut nos vitis amor, sic vos Venus improba vexat
Est data lex