The Essays of Montaigne — Volume 08 by Michel de Montaigne
page 18 of 58 (31%)
page 18 of 58 (31%)
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--[Diogenes Laertius, vi. 89.]--They used to eat fruit, as we do, after
dinner. They wiped their fundaments (let the ladies, if they please, mince it smaller) with a sponge, which is the reason that 'spongia' is a smutty word in Latin; which sponge was fastened to the end of a stick, as appears by the story of him who, as he was led along to be thrown to the wild beasts in the sight of the people, asking leave to do his business, and having no other way to despatch himself, forced the sponge and stick down his throat and choked himself.--[Seneca, Ep., 70.] They used to wipe, after coition, with perfumed wool: "At tibi nil faciam; sed Iota mentula lana." They had in the streets of Rome vessels and little tubs for passengers to urine in: "Pusi saepe lacum propter se, ac dolia curta. Somno devincti, credunt extollere vestem." ["The little boys in their sleep often think they are near the public urinal, and raise their coats to make use of it." --Lucretius, iv.] They had collation betwixt meals, and had in summer cellars of snow to cool their wine; and some there were who made use of snow in winter, not thinking their wine cool enough, even at that cold season of the year. The men of quality had their cupbearers and carvers, and their buffoons to make them sport. They had their meat served up in winter upon chafing dishes, which were set upon the table, and had portable kitchens (of which I myself have seen some) wherein all their service was carried about with them: |
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