of Antony’s domestics, a cook.  Under the guidance of this cook, Philotas went one day into the palace to see what was to be seen.  The cook took his friend into the kitchens, where, to Philotas’s great surprise, he saw, among an infinite number and variety of other preparations, eight wild boars roasting before the fires, some being more and some less advanced in the process.  Philotas asked what great company was to dine there that day.  The cook smiled at this question, and replied that there was to be no company at all, other than Antony’s ordinary party.  “But,” said the cook, in explanation, “we are obliged always to prepare several suppers, and to have them ready in succession at different hours, for no one can tell at what time they will order the entertainment to be served.  Sometimes, when the supper has been actually carried in, Antony and Cleopatra will get engaged in some new turn of their diversions, and conclude not to sit down just then to the table, and so we have to take the supper away, and presently bring in another.”

Antony had a son with him at Alexandria at this time, the child of his wife Fulvia.  The name of the son, as well as that of the father, was Antony.  He was old enough to feel some sense of shame at his father’s dereliction from duty, and to manifest some respectful regard for the rights and the honor of his mother.  Instead of this, however, he imitated his father’s example, and, in his own way, was as reckless and extravagant as he.  The same Philotas who is above referred to was, after a time, appointed to some office or other in the young Antony’s household, so that he was accustomed to sit at his table and share in his convivial enjoyments.  He relates that once, while they were feasting together, there was a guest present, a physician, who was a very vain and conceited man, and so talkative that no one else had any opportunity to speak.  All the pleasure of conversation was spoiled by his excessive garrulity.  Philotas, however, at length puzzled him so completely with a question of logic,—­of a kind similar to those often discussed with great interest in ancient days,—­as to silence him for a time; and young Antony was so much delighted with this feat, that he gave Philotas all the gold and silver plate that there was upon the table, and sent all the articles home to him, after the entertainment was over, telling him. to put his mark and stamp upon them, and lock them up.

The question with which Philotas puzzled the self-conceited physician was this.  It must be premised, however, that in those days it was considered that cold water in an intermittent fever was extremely dangerous, except in some peculiar cases, and in those the effect was good.  Philotas then argued as follows:  “In cases of a certain kind it is best to give water to a patient in an ague.  All cases of ague are cases of a certain kind.  Therefore it is best in all cases to give the patient water.”  Philotas having propounded his argument in this way, challenged the physician to point out the fallacy of it; and while the physician sat perplexed and puzzled in his attempts to unravel the intricacy of it, the company enjoyed a temporary respite from his excessive loquacity.