Poor James Boswell, who certainly required no _extraordinary_ urging to take a glass too much, is found in his letters, which have recently come to light, laying the blame of his excesses to "falling into a habit which still prevails in Scotland;" and then he remarks, with censorious emphasis, on the "drunken manners of his countrymen." This was about 1770.
A friend of mine, however, lately departed--Mr.Boswell of Balmuto--showed more spirit than the Londoner, when he found himself in a similar situation.

Challenged by the host to drink, urged and almost forced to swallow a quantity of wine against his own inclination, he proposed a counter-challenge in the way of eating, and made the following ludicrous and original proposal to the company,--that two or three legs of mutton should be prepared, and he would then contest the point of who could devour most meat; and certainly it seems as reasonable to compel people to _eat_, as to compel them to drink, beyond the natural cravings of nature.
The situation of ladies, too, must frequently have been very disagreeable--when, for instance, gentlemen came up stairs in a condition most unfit for female society.

Indeed they were often compelled to fly from scenes which were most unfitting for them to witness.

They were expected to get out of the way at the proper time, or when a hint was given them to do so.

At Glasgow sixty years ago, when the time had come for the _bowl_ to be introduced, some jovial and thirsty members of the company proposed as a toast, "The trade of Glasgow and _the outward bound!_" The hint was taken, and silks and satins moved off to the drawing-room.
In my part of the country the traditionary stories of drinking prowess are quite marvellous.