About a third of the way through the Preface, Chambers argues that there are two kinds of poets: “The first, those on whom the Inspiration falls, as it were, from Heaven ; without any thought or seeking, or least by means of Prayer or Invocation. The second, those in whom it is procured by the Fumes of Wine.“ After a lengthy consideration of the first sort, he turns his attention to the others.

As to the second Kind of Poets, in whom the Inspiration is promoted or excited by means of Wine ; Casaubon is perfectly frighted at it ; judging it the highest strain of Impeity, to suppose a Man may be divinely inspired by the Fumes of Liquor.----And yet I don’t know whether his Fright be not founded on a Misapprehension. ... I do not see what Religion has to do here, more than in any other Enthusiasm. The use of such a means, is no ways derogatory to the Power of Goodness of God ; who still remains the Author of this, as of any other Inspiration ; whether it be by Visions, by Voices, Dreams, or the like. What matters it whether the Sound of a Cymbal, or the Sight of an Image, or the Effluvia of a Liquor be the Occasion [for inspiration]? So long as he is the Cause, what matters it what Instrument he makes use of? And of all the Blessings this Juice is made the Occasion of to us, why should it be precluded from that, which none of God’s Creatures, not even the vilest, but occasional ministers? The Ancients did not think so meanly of it ; they set up a God on purpose to preside over it ; and it even had the largest Share in their most solemn Ceremonies of Religion. (XIII)