Here we have a palpable hit at the source of inspiration indulged in by many of the wits and rhymesters who gathered round ‘glorious John Dryden’ within the hallowed walls of that famous rendezvous. And likely enough, when they
‘were all at supper, all in good humour, Champaign was the word, and wit flew about the room like a pack of losing cards.’[294]
Farquhar seems, above all others, to have hailed the new wine with pleasure. We all remember the ‘red Burgundy’ which saves Mirabel from his perilous position in the cut-throats’ den; but the flighty hero of the Inconstant is equally enthusiastic over sparkling wine when he exclaims:
‘Give me the plump Venetian, brisk and sanguine, that smiles upon me like the glowing sun, and meets my lips like sparkling wine, her person shining as the glass, and spirit like the foaming liquor.’[295]
The benignant influence of the beverage is, moreover, referred to by Farquhar in his epilogue to the Constant Couple, where, in alluding to the critics, it is said that
‘To coffee some retreat to save their pockets,
Others, more generous, damn the play at Locket’s;
But there, I hope, the author’s fears are vain,
Malice ne’er spoke in generous Champain.’[296]
Further, he makes Benjamin Wouldbe exclaim: