In every Grecian family, where company was invited, the master of it was
considered to be the king or president of the feast, in his own house.
He was usually denominated the eye of the company. It was one of his
offices to look about and to see that his guests drank their proper
portions of the wine. It was another to keep peace and harmony among
them. For these purposes his word was law. At entertainments at the
public expence the same office existed, but the person, then appointed
to it, was nominated either by lot, or by the votes of the persons
present.--This custom obtains among the moderns. The master of every
family at the present day presides at his own table for the same
purposes. And at great and public dinners at taverns, a similar officer
is appointed, who is generally chosen by the committee, who first meet
for the proposal of the feast.
One of the first toasts, that were usually drank among the ancient
Greeks, was to the "gods." This entirely corresponds with the modern
idea of church; and if the government had been only coupled with the
gods in these ancient times, it would have precisely answered to the
modern toast of church and state.
It was also usual at the entertainments, given by Grecian families, to
drink the prosperity of those persons, for whom they entertained a
friendship, but who happened to be absent.
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