| Citation |
AWM.724.005
26 Mar-2 Apr 1724:11 (224)
In this scarcity of news, I here present to my readers a
small essay on entertainments. Marcus Varro, in a treatise
written of the number of guests, the disposition and order
of an elegant supper, the choice, condition and quality of
such as are invited; begins with their number; which, he
says, ought not to be less than the graces, nor greater than
that of the muses; in plain English, not less than three,
nor more than nine. . . [36 lines] The conversation should
not role or dwell upon state affairs, private business, or
matters of interest, which men are apt to dispute with more
heat, concern and animosity, than is consistent with the
good humour and mirth principally intended at such meetings;
in which we should rather talk of pleasant, chearful and
delightful subjects, such as beauty, painting, musick,
poetry, the writers of the past and present age, whereby at
once we may advance and improve our wills; . . . [12 lines]
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