This observation of Mr. Burke's introduces it to our notice as a remedy--as a medicine, in the hands of a physician. Thus we find particular wines recommended by particular doctors, having a fashionable run as specifics:--at one time all the gouty people were drinking Madeira; and many a man persuaded himself he had a fit of _flying_ gout, for the sake of the remedy.[7] Somebody, however, found out that Madeira contained acid, and straight the cellars were rummaged for old Sherry. This change was attributed to Dr. Baillie, who had no more to do with it than Boerhaave, as he has been known to declare. Sherry, and nothing but Sherry, however, could or would the _Podagres_ drink. Dr. Reynolds, who lived and practised very much with the higher orders, had a predilection for that noble and expensive comforter, Hoc! which short word, from his lips, has often made the doctor's physic as costly as the doctor's fee. Wine has also been recommended, by the highest medical authorities, as alleviating the infirmities of old age. A Greek physician recommended it to Alexander as the pure blood of the earth. Though an excess in wine is highly blamable, yet it is more pardonable than most other excesses. The progressive steps to it are cheerful, animating, and seducing; the melancholy are relieved, the grave enlivened, the witty and gay inspired--which is the very reverse of excess in eating: for, Nature satisfied, every additional morsel carries dulness and stupidity with it. "Every inordinate cup is unbless'd, and the ingredient is a devil," says Shakspeare. "King Edgar, like a king of good fellows," adds Selden, "or master of the revels, made a law for Drinking. He gave orders that studs, or knobs of silver or gold (so Malmesbury tells us.) should be fastened to the sides of their cups, or drinking vessels, that when every one knew his mark or boundary, he should, out of modesty, not either himself covet, or force another to desire, more than his stint." This is the only law, before the first parliament under king James, that has been made against those swill-bowls, Swabbers of drunken feasts, and lusty rowers, In full-brimmed rummers that do ply their oars, "who, by their carouses (tippling up Nestor's years as if they were celebrating the goddess _Anna Perenna_,) do, at the same time, drink others' health, and mischief and spoil their own and the public."