eight in the evening
So then Mrs Blackerby 's affair has proved a false alarm , and I have saved my money ? I wish , however , her declaration had not been so premature ; for though my being thought capable of making her a mother , might have given me some credit , the reputation of an intrigue with such a cracked pitcher does me no honour at all In my last I told you I had hopes of seeing Quin , in his hours of elevation at the tavern which is the temple of mirth and good fellowship ; where he , as priest of Comus , utters the inspirations of wit and humour -- I have had that satisfaction . I have dined with his club at the Three Tuns , and had the honour to sit him out . At half an hour past eight in the evening , he was carried home with six good bottles of claret under his belt ; and it being then Friday , he gave orders that he should not be disturbed till Sunday at noon -- You must not imagine that this dose had any other effect upon his conversation , but that of making it more extravagantly entertaining -- He had lost the use of his limbs , indeed , several hours before we parted , but he retained all his other faculties in perfection ; and as he gave vent to every whimsical idea as it rose , I was really astonished at the brilliancy of his thoughts , and the force of his expression . Quin is a real voluptuary in the articles of eating and drinking ; and so confirmed an epicure , in the common acceptation of the term , that he can not put up with ordinary fare . This is a point of such importance with him , that he always takes upon himself the charge of catering ; and a man admitted to his mess , is always sure of eating delicate victuals , and drinking excellent wine -- He owns himself addicted to the delights of the stomach , and often jokes upon his own sensuality ; but there is nothing selfish in this appetite -- He finds that good chear unites good company , exhilerates the spirits , opens the heart , banishes all restraint from conversation , and promotes the happiest purposes of social life . But Mr James Quin is not a subject to be discussed in the compass of one letter ; I shall therefore , at present , leave him to his repose , and call another of a very different complexion .