midnight
Alexandria , the focus of all the learning of the East and the West , had seen other festivals than this riotous banquet . Indeed , even here a vein of grave and wise discourse flavored the meal of the circle that belonged to the Museum ; but the senseless revelry of Rome had found its way into the houses of the rich , and even the noblest achievements of the human mind had been made , unawares , subservient to mere enjoyment . A man was a philosopher only that he might be prompt to discuss and always ready to take his share in the talk ; and at a banquet a well-told anecdote was more heartily welcome than some profound idea that gave rise to a reflection or provoked a subtle discussion . What a noise , what a clatter was storming in the hall by the second hour after midnight ! How the lungs of the feasters were choked with overpowering perfumes ! What repulsive exhibitions met the eye ! How shamelessly was all decency trodden under foot !