[170:4] Tall men are like houses of four stories, wherein commonly the uppermost room is worst furnished.—Howell (quoted): Letter i. book i. sect. ii. (1621.)
Often the cockloft is empty in those whom Nature hath built many stories high.—Fuller: Andronicus, sect. vi. par. 18, 1.
Such as take lodgings in a head
That 's to be let unfurnished.
Butler: Hudibras, part i. canto i. line 161.
[171:1] The custom is not altogether obsolete in the U. S. A.
[171:2] Is not old wine wholesomest, old pippins toothsomest, old wood burns brightest, old linen wash whitest? Old soldiers, sweetheart, are surest, and old lovers are soundest.—Webster: Westward Hoe, act ii. sc. 2.
Old friends are best. King James used to call for his old shoes; they were easiest for his feet.—Selden: Table Talk. Friends.
Old wood to burn! Old wine to drink! Old friends to trust! Old authors to read!—Alonso of Aragon was wont to say in commendation of age, that age appeared to be best in these four things.—Melchior: Floresta Española de Apothegmas o sentencias, etc., ii. 1, 20.
What find you better or more honourable than age? Take the preheminence of it in everything,—in an old friend, in old wine, in an old pedigree.—Shakerley Marmion (1602-1639): The Antiquary.