1 28 Colloquies of Erasnms.

Sp. I have read in Horace that they ought not to exceedfive.

Ap. Well then, so many different Courses you must have.Let the first Course be Soop, and the last a Desert of Sweet-meats .

Sp. What Order of the Courses do you approve of ?

Ap. The same that Pyrrhus did in his Army.

Sp. What say you ?

Ap. As in an Oration, so at a Feast, the Preface, or firstCourses should not be very delicate; and again, the las 1Course should rather excel in Variety, than Daintiness. SoPyrrhus ' s Discipline consisted in three Particulars, that oneach Side there should be something excellent, and in theMiddle, that which was more ordinary. By this Method, hwill be so ordered, that you will neither appear to be sparing’nor prodigal by Reason of a cloying Abundance.

Sp. The Eating-Part is well enough contriv’d ; now tellme what is to be done as to drinking ?

Ap. Don’t you give the Cup to any Body ; leave that toyour Servants, to ask every Body what Sort of Wine h elikes, and to fill every one the Wine he drinks readily. atthe very first Call or Nod. In this there will be a twofoldConveniency, they will drink both more sparingly and mo rCmerrily ; not only because every now and then there woul^otherwise be a different Sort of Wine given them, but als°because no Body will drink but when he is dry.

Sp. Upon my Word, this is very good Advice. Butth eI1how will they all be made merry ?

Ap. That’s partly in your Power.

Sp. How is that ?

Ap. You know the old Proverb, A hearty Welcome isbest Cheer .

Sp. How is that ?

Ap. Entertain them courteously, speak to them with 3chearful Countenance, ordering your Speech according t0 each Person’s Age and Humour .

Sp. I’ll come nearer to you, that I may hear the better·