 Part of the Ceremony at all
Treaties of this Kind. Perhaps the Reader may here conclude that he was well
versed in antient History; but this, tho' highly probable, as he cited no
Authority to support the Custom, I will not affirm with any Confidence. Most
likely indeed it is, that he founded his Opinion on very good Authority, since
he confirmed it with many violent Oaths.
    Jones no sooner heard the Proposal, than immediately agreeing with the
learned Serjeant, he ordered a Bowl, or rather a large Mug, filled with the
Liquor used on these Occasions to be brought in, and then began the Ceremony
himself. He placed his Right Hand in that of the Landlord, and seizing the Bowl
with his Left, uttered the usual Words, and then made his Libation. After which
the same was observed by all present. Indeed there is very little Need of being
particular in describing the whole Form, as it differed so little from those
Libations of which so much is recorded in ancient Authors, and their modern
Transcribers. The principal Difference lay in two Instances: For first, the
present Company poured the Liquor only down their Throats; and, secondly, The
Serjeant, who officiated as Priest, drank the last; but he preserved, I believe,
the antient Form in swallowing much the largest Draught of the whole Company,
and in being the only Person present who contributed nothing towards the
Libation, besides his good Offices in assisting at the Performance.
    The good People now ranged themselves round the Kitchin Fire, where good
Humour seemed to maintain an absolute Dominion, and Partridge not only forgot
his shameful Defeat, but converted Hunger into Thirst, and soon became extremely
facetious. We must, however, quit this agreeable Assembly for a while, and
attend Mr. Jones to Mrs. Waters's Apartment, where the Dinner which he had now
bespoke was on the Table. Indeed it took no long Time in preparing, having been
all drest three Days before, and required nothing more from the Cook than to
warm it over again.
 

                                   Chapter V

An Apology for all Heroes who have good Stomachs, with a Description of a Battle
                              of the amorous Kind.
 
Heroes, notwithstanding the high Ideas, which by the Means of Flatterers they
may entertain of themselves, or the World may conceive of them, have certainly
more of mortal than divine about them. However elevated their Minds may be,
their Bodies at least (which is much the major Part of most) are liable to the
worst Infirmities and subject to the vilest Offices of human Nature. Among these
latter the Act of Eating
