 may be that, in our
festivity of last night, some of our friends, if not perchance altogether ebrii,
or drunken, were, to say the least, ebrioli, by which the ancients designed
those who were fuddled, or, as your English vernacular and metaphorical phrase
goes, half-seas-over. Not that I would so insinuate respecting you, Captain
Waverley, who, like a prudent youth, did rather abstain from potation; nor can
it be truly said of myself, who, having assisted at the tables of many great
generals and marechals at their solemn carousals, have the art to carry my wine
discreetly, and did not, during the whole evening, as ye must have doubtless
observed, exceed the bounds of a modest hilarity.«
    There was no refusing assent to a proposition so decidedly laid down by him
who undoubtedly was the best judge; although, had Edward formed his opinion from
his own recollections, he would have pronounced that the Baron was not only
ebriolus, but verging to become ebrius; or, in plain English, was incomparably
the most drunk of the party, except perhaps his antagonist the Laird of
Balmawhapple. However, having received the expected, or rather the required,
compliment on his sobriety, the Baron proceeded, - »No, sir, though I am myself
of a strong temperament, I abhor ebriety, and detest those who swallow wine gulæ
causa, for the oblectation of the gullet; albeit I might deprecate the law of
Pittacus of Mitylene, who punished doubly a crime committed under the influence
of Liber Pater; nor would I utterly accede to the objurgation of the younger
Plinius, in the fourteenth book of his Historia Naturalis. No, sir; I
distinguish, I discriminate, and approve of wine so far only as it maketh glad
the face, or, in the language of Flaccus, recepto amico.«
    Thus terminated the apology which the Baron of Bradwardine thought it
necessary to make for the superabundance of his hospitality; and it may be
easily believed that he was neither interrupted by dissent, nor any expression
of incredulity.
    He then invited his guest to a morning ride, and ordered that Davie
Gellatley should meet them at the dern path with Ban and Buscar. »For, until the
shooting season commenced, I would willingly show you some sport, and we may,
God willing, meet with a roe. The roe, Captain Waverley, may be hunted at all
times alike; for never being in what is called pride of grease, he is also never
out of season, though it be a truth that his venison is not
