But you will say, what coherence has this remark with the matter in question? Have a little patience, and you shall presently see the application. I say then, that a thorough true blue hearty Protestant would conclude from this quotation, that wine bestowed so much eloquence and penetration to these northern people, as to put them into that happy state, to discover the truth, and conquer all prejudices against it whatsoever. But of this enough.
Pon, pon; pata pon: tara rara, pon pon[5].
[a.] Horace, Epistulae I.v.19. (Same passage as note 2:9b.)
[1.] Rem. sur Rabel. t. i. lib. 1. cap. 5.
[2.] Divers. cur.
[3.] Lib. iii. p. m. 43.
[4.] Bayle Dict. t. ii. p. 1163.
[5.] Racine.
[CHAP. VII.]
THAT WINE ACQUIRES FRIENDS, AND RECONCILES ENEMIES.
Friendship is a good so precious and valuable, and at the same time so very rare, that one cannot take too much care in order to procure it. The most efficacious means to do this is feasting. It is by eating and drinking together that conversation becomes more easy and familiar; and, to use the words of Monsieur de la Mothe le vayer, “We hold, that table communion unites people’s very souls, and causes the strictest friendships.” Unde Philotetius Crater[1]. And, in reality, can any thing be more agreeable and engaging, than to take a friendly bottle in pleasant and delightful company?