A red-blooded member of the Sublime Society of Beefsteaks, William Hogarth was a bon viveur, eating and drinking in the company of fellow trenchermen, and thanking God he wasn’t born a “frenchie”.  His painting –popularized as a print and accompanied by the song of the same title, “Oh for the Roast Beef of Old England”, celebrates la difference French and English fare.  And other images of men behaving badly at table abound.  Just what were they eating and drinking? 

First given in France, 2007…

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