It is to the abuse of this omnivorous faculty that Providence has bestowed upon mankind, that we owe many of the diseases under which our species labours. "Multos morbos, multa fercula fecerunt," sayeth Seneca; yet we are far more temperate in the present age than the ancients during the period of their boasted high civilization and prosperity. Their excesses must have been of the most disgusting nature, since, to indulge more easily in their gluttonous propensities, they had recourse to emetics both before and after their meals. "Vomunt ut edant, edunt ut vomunt, et epulas quas toto orbe conquirunt nec concoquere dignantur," was the reproach of the above-quoted philosopher. Suetonius and Dion Cassius give Vitellius the credit of having introduced this revolting custom into fashion; and splendid vessels for the purpose were introduced in their feasts. Martial alludes to it in the following lines: Nec coenat prius, aut recumbit, ante Quam septem vomuit meri deunces. And Juvenal tells us that the bath was polluted by this incredible act of bestiality,-- Et crudum pavonem in balnea portas. The sums expended by the ancients on their table exceed all belief. Vitellius expended for that purpose upwards of 3200_l._ daily, and some of his repasts cost 40,000_l._ At one of them, according to Suetonius, 7000 birds and 2000 fishes were served up. Aelius Verus laid out 600,000 sestertii on one meal; and some of the dishes of Heliogabalus cost about 4000_l._ of our money. The excesses of this monster were such, that Herodianus affirms that he wanted to ascertain, not only the flavour of human flesh, but of the most disgusting and nameless substances. The freaks related of this emperor are scarcely credible; but his gastronomic profusion may be easily conceived when we find that his very mats were made with the down of hares or soft feathers found under the wings of partridges! When such ideas of _enjoyment_ prevailed, can we wonder that Philoxenus should have wished that he had the throat of a crane, that he might prolong the delights of eating!