raised it shall set it going and start it on so firm a basis as that
it may be left safely to work its own way, for there shall be no
fear of its dying out.

And the great key to this admirable treasure-house is Self, who hath
two beautiful children, Self-Love and Self-Pride . . . We have also
aided our project much by the following contrivance, namely, that
ten of the society, the same who have the longest tongues and ears,
shall make a quorum to manage all affairs connected with it; and it
is difficult to comprehend the amount of quarrelling that shall go
on at these meetings.

And the monthly suppers shall be ordered in this way: Each man must
take at least two tablespoonfuls of vinegar, which shall make the
wit sharp, or in default thereof one teaspoonful of pepper and
mustard; for the rest we leave the diet to the management of our
stewards and bursars, but after the cloth has been removed the
president shall single out some one of the company, and in a calm
and friendly manner acquaint him with his faults and advise him in
what way he may best amend the same. The member selected is
compelled by the rules to remain silent for the space of three
minutes, and is then to retort and bring up six instances. He is to
call the present members to witness, and all are to take one side or
the other, so that none be neutral, and the melee will doubtless
become general, and we expect that much beautiful latent abusive
talent will be developed in this way. But let all this be done with
an air of great politeness, sincerity, and goodwill, at least at the
commencement, for this, when evidently fictitious, is a two-edged
sword of irritation.