1863 Cups and their customs

34

CUPS AND THEIR CUSTOMS.

this could not be better effected than by using the words of the witty Dr. King :

Peggy, Peggy, when thou go'st to brew, Consider well what you 're about to do j Be very wise — very sedately think That what you 're going to make is — drink Consider who must drink that drink, and then What 'tis to have the praise of honest men Then future ages shall of Peggy tell. The nymph who spiced the bre wages so well."

^^

Respecting the size of the cup no fixed rule can be laid down^ because it must mainly depend upon the number who have to partake of it ; and be it remem- bered that^ as cups are not intended to be quaffed ad

Bicias^ of whom Cornelius Agrippa

did

as

libitum,

says

^^ To Bicias shee it gave, and sayd, ^ Drink of this cup of myne.' He quickly quafte it, and left not

Of licoure any sygne,"

let quantity, and try to hit a happy medium between the cup of Nestor^ which was so large that a young man could not carry it^ and the country half-pint of our own day^ which we have heard of as being so small that a string has to be tied to it to prevent it slipping down with the cider. In order to appreciate the delicacy of a well-com- pounded cup^ we would venture to suggest this laconic rule, ^' When you drink — think/^ Many a good bottle has passed the first round, in the midst of conversation, without its merits being discovered. quality prevail over