Not that Peregrine
relished those scenes, which were a succession of absurd extravagance,
devoid of all true spirit, taste, or enjoyment. But his vanity
prompted him to mingle with those who are entitled the choice spirits
of the age; and his disposition was so pliable, as to adapt itself
easily to the measures of his company, where he had not influence
enough to act in the capacity of a director. Their rendezvous was
a certain tavern, which might be properly styled the temple of
excess, where they left the choice of their fare to the discretion
of the landlord, that they might save themselves the pains of
exercising their own reason; and, in order to avoid the trouble of
adjusting the bill, ordered the waiter to declare how much every
individual must pay, without specifying the articles of the charge.
This proportion generally amounted to two guineas per head for each
dinner and supper; and frequently exceeded that sum; of which the
landlord durst not abate, without running the risk of having his
nose slit for his moderation.
But this was puny expense compared with that which they often
incurred, by the damage done to the furniture and servants, in the
madness of their intoxication, as well as the loss they sustained
at hazard, an amusement to which all of them had recourse in the
progress of their debauches.
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