Oh tortuna tam, natura, me consule Roman.

This was not all.  In consequence of an instinct hitherto referred to, an effort was made to make them more highly perfumed, and flowers, aromatics, etc., were infused.  Such things which the Romans called condita, must have had a very bad effect on the stomach.

Thus the Romans came to dream of alcohol, which was not discovered until long after they were born.

Resurrection of Lucullus.

The glorious days of old might arise again, and nothing but a Lucullus is needed, to bring this about.  Let us fancy that any man, known to be rich, should wish to celebrate any great act, and give in this manner an occasion for a famous entertainment.

Let us suppose that he appeals to every one to adorn his entertainment, and orders every possible resource to be prepared.

Let him make every imaginable preparation and Lucullus would be as nothing compared with the civilized world as it is.

Both the Romans and the Athenians had beds to eat on.  They achieved the purpose but indirectly.

At first they used beds only for the sacred festivals offered to the gods.  The magistrates and principal men, adopted the custom, and ere long, it became general and was preserved until in the beginning of the fourth century.

These couches were at first, only boxes filled with straw, and covered with skins.  Gradually, however, they became more luxurious, and were made of the most precious woods, inlaid with ivory, and sometimes with gems.  Their cushions were soft and their covers magnificently embroidered.

People only laid down on the left elbow.  Three usually slept together.

This the Romans called lectisternium.  It is not a very bad name.

In a physical point of view incubitation demands a certain exhibition of power to preserve equlibrium, and is not without a degree of pain; the elbow supporting an undue proportion of the weight of the body.

In a physiological point of view, something also is to be said.  Imbuccation (swallowing) is effected in a less natural manner.  The food is passed with more difficulty into the stomach.

The ingestion of liquids, or drinking, is yet more difficult.  It required particular attention not to spill the wine from the large cups on the tables of the great.  Thence came the proverb: 

 “Between the cup and lip,

 There is often time a slip.”

None could eat comfortably when reclining, especially when we remember that many of the guests had long beards, and that fingers, or at least only knives were used.  Forks are an invention of modern times, for none were found at Herculaeneum.

Some violations of modesty must also have occurred at repasts which frequently exceeded the bounds of temperance, and where the two sexes have fallen asleep, and were mingled together.  A poet says: