Ebrietatis Encomium or, the Praise of Drunkenness

This lively early‑19‑century tract masquerades as a scholarly treatise while cheerfully defending the pleasures of wine. The author launches with a self‑effacing preface that likens his project to Erasmus’s Praise of Folly, arguing that writing about drunkenness need not betray a personal vice. Rich with Latin, French, and an abundance of quotations, the text reads like a convivial salon conversation turned printed pamphlet.

Listeners will be treated to a tongue‑in‑cheek argument that wine is the most “catholic” of liquids, supported by footnotes, literary allusions, and occasional humorous asides. The author’s mock‑serious tone invites the audience to consider how societies regiment pleasure, while never moving beyond his initial justification for the work. It is an engaging blend of erudition and revelry, perfect for anyone who enjoys a witty historical jaunt through the world of libations.