Mr. MacBorrowdale. I hold to the opinion I have already expressed, that this is as good a glass of port as ever I tasted.
Lord Curryfin. I mean your opinion of modern music and musical instruments.
Mr. MacBorrowdale. The organ is very good for psalms, which I never sing, and the pianoforte for jigs, which I never dance. And if I were not to hear either of them from January to December, I should not complain of the privation.
Lord Curryfin. You are an utilitarian, Mr. MacBorrowdale. You are all for utility—public utility—and you see none in music.
Mr. MacBorrowdale. Nay, not exactly so. If devotion is good, if cheerfulness is good, and if music promotes each of them in proper time and place, music is useful. If I am as devout without the organ, and as cheerful without the piano, as I ever should be with them, that may be the defect of my head or my ear. I am not for forcing my tastes or no-tastes on other people. Let every man enjoy himself in his own way, while he does not annoy others. I would not deprive you of your enjoyment of a brilliant symphony, and I hope you would not deprive me of my enjoyment of a glass of old wine.
The Rev. Dr. Opimian:
'Très mihi convivae prope dissentire videntur,
Poscentes vario multum diversa palate'{1}
1 Three guests dissent most widely in their wishes:
With different taste they call for different dishes.
Mr. Falconer. Nor our reverend friend of the pleasure of a classical quotation.
The Rev. Dr. Opimian. And the utility, too, sir: for I think I am indebted to one for the pleasure of your acquaintance.
Mr. Falconer. When you did me the honour to compare my house to the Palace of Circe. The gain was mine.