SOCRATES IN HIS CUPS. 



SOME may be astonished that Socrates the sage, the philosopher, 

 one of the most virtuous of the ancients, should be distinguished for 

 his ability as a wine-bibber, but such was the fact j for Plato, his 

 favorite disciple, who has recorded the acts and conversations of his 

 master in those beautiful dialogues which still remain to delight us, 

 has given an account, in his Symposium, of a party, at which Socrates 

 sat out all the rest of the company. The occasion was this. Athagon, 

 a famous tragic poet, having gained the prize annually bestowed on 

 the author of the three best tragedies, gave an entertainment to his 

 friends on the following day. Some of the most illustrious Athe- 

 nians were present; among others, Alcibiades, Socrates, and Aristo- 

 phanes the comic poet. The conversation was animated and inte- 

 resting ; and at length, as the wine went round and round, it became 

 loud and noisy. 



When most of the guests had displayed unequivocal signs of in- 

 toxication, " a great number of revellers," saith Plato on the autho- 

 rity of Aristodemus, his informant, " suddenly came to the door, and 

 finding it open (for some one had just gone out) they entered, and 

 seated themselves on the couches. Confusion now reigned supreme, 

 and the company no longer preserved any moderation in drinking. 

 Aristodemus said that some went away, but that as for himself he 

 fell asleep, and slept for a very long time, since the nights were then 

 of great length ; and that when he awoke at the dawn of day, Aga- 

 thon, Aristophanes, and Socrates were the only persons still awake: 

 they were drinking the wine out of large cups, and Socrates was dis- 

 coursing. And Aristodemus said that he could not give an account 

 of his discourse, as he was asleep at the commencement ; but that the 

 sum and substance of it was, that Socrates compelled them to confess 

 that tragedy and comedy are the same thing; and that after being 

 obliged by his arguments to acknowledge this, though not fully con- 

 vinced of its truth, they fell fast asleep : and that Socrates rose from 

 his seat, and after washing himself went to the Lyceum, (for it was 

 now the morning) according to his usual custom, and that after 

 spending the day in his accustomed manner, he went home in the 

 evening and retired to rest." 



THE UNITED STATES. 



FROM GOETHE. 



America thou hast it better 



Than our ancient hemisphere; 



Thou hast no falling castles, 



Nor basalt, as here. 



Good luck wait on thy glorious spring, 



And, when in time, thy poets sing, 



May some good genius guard them all 



From Baron, Robber, Knight, and Ghost traditional ! 



