...... And, although alone, We'll drain one draught in Memory of many a joyous Banquet past. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. The Second Edition of this book contains much additional matter, all of which has been derived from notes collected by one of the original authors of the work, whose untimely death is mourned, and whose genial hospitality is remembered, by very many friends. The compiler believes that the additions made will greatly increase the usefulness of the book to all compounders of Cups. CUPS AND THEIR CUSTOMS. .... "Then shall our names, Familiar in their mouths as household words, Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd." As in all countries and in all ages drinking has existed as a necessary institution, so we find it has been invariably accompanied by its peculiar forms and ceremonies. But in endeavouring to trace these, we are at once beset with the difficulty of fixing a starting-point. If we were inclined to treat the subject in a rollicking fashion, we could find a high antiquity ready-made to our hands in the apocryphal doings of mythology, and might quote the nectar of the gods as the first of all potations; for we are told that "When Mars, the God of War, of Venus first did think, He laid aside his helm and shield, and mix'd a drop of drink." But it is our intention, at the risk of being considered pedantic, to discourse on customs more tangible and real. If we are believers in the existence of pre-Adamite man, the records he has left us, in the shape of flint and stone implements, are far too difficult of _solution_ to be rendered available for drinking-purposes, or to assist us in forming any idea of his inner life: we must therefore commence our history at the time ...... "when God made choice to rear His mighty champion, strong above compare, Whose drink was only from the limpid brook."