And I find also a decree passed, while Cephisodorus was archer at Athens, in which the tasters are mentioned as a regular guild or college; just like the men who are called parasites. For the decree runs thus:--"Phocus proposed that, in order that the council might celebrate the Apaturia with the rest of the Athenians, in accordance with the national customs, that it should be decreed by the council, that the councillors should be released for the day, as also the other councils have been dismissed, for a holiday of five days from the day which the tasters (ὁι πρότενθαι) celebrate." And that the ancients had people who were called "tasters" Xenophon tells us in his treatise which is entitled Hiero or the Tyrant, where he says, "The tyrant lives, never trusting either meat or drink, but they order those who minister to them to taste them first, in the place of offering libations to the gods; because they feel a distrust lest they should eat or drink something pernicious." And Anaxilas, in his Calypso, says-- First the old woman here shall taste your drink. 72. And the ancients used to call those who made sweetmeats and cheesecakes δημιουργοί. Menander, in his False Hercules, blaming the cooks as attempting what they ought not, says-- Holloa, you cook, why do you sulky seem? 'Tis the third time you've asked me what's the number Of tables which will be required to-day. We go to sacrifice one little pig. Eight tables are required, or two, or one; What can that be to you?--I want but one. May we not make some candyli[275:1] and dishes Such as you're used to season; honey, eggs, And semilago; but now everything Is contrary; the cook makes cakes in moulds, Roasts cheesecakes, and boils groats, and brings on table After the salted meats fig-leaves and grapes. And for the sweetmeat-makers, they, with duties Turn'd upside down, roast joints of meat and thrushes Instead of delicate confections; thus He who believes he sups doth feed on dainties, And when perfumed and crown'd, again doth feast On honey'd cheese-cakes interspersed with thrushes. But that all these different duties were formerly separated, when the demiurgi, as they called them, attended to the sweetmeats, and the cooks to the regular cookery, Antiphanes shows us plainly enough, in his Chrysis, where he says-- Four female flute-players do have their wages, Twelve cooks, and just as many sweetmeat-makers, Asking for plates for honey. And Menander, in his Demiurgus, says-- _A._ What now is this, my boy, for you, by Jove, Have come in a most business-like set fashion. _B._ Yes, for we are inventing fine inventions, And all the night long we've been hard at work, And even now we have much left unfinish'd.