Cheers!

Think you're a lush? My doctor thinks I am, but I don't much care what my doctor thinks. Or any other doctor, for that matter. If I am, then I'm in good company. Read about the drinking habits, one might even say "regimens," of some of the most creative people throughout history. I put down a case of beer and a fifth of whiskey every week, but I don't even qualify as a ranked amateur when compared to these ladies and gents.

The painter Francis Bacon...commenced work at the crack of dawn (and he worked hard) but by 11am he was ready to “socialise”. First a friend came over to splice a bottle of wine. Then he repaired to a Soho restaurant for a long boozy lunch, drank through the afternoon, before dining out, going to a nightclub, necking some more wine, moving onto spirits, then visiting a casino, then having another liquor-fuelled meal at a bistro, then popping some sleepers to help him snore away the grog.

It is reliably estimated Francis Bacon drank six bottles of wine a day. He also died at the age of 83, and created some of the most valuable paintings in history.

Next time your doctor whines about your drinking habits, tell him to eat Bacon. Speaking of which...

The author of psychothrillers like The Talented Mr Ripley, Patricia Highsmith lived to write (as she said, “I have ideas like rats have orgasms”). She also chain-smoked Gauloises, and kept a bottle of vodka by her bedside, so she could have a snifter first thing. The only food she consumed was American bacon, and cereal.

It's not for everybody, of course. If you like teetotaling, then by all means enjoy yourself. For my part, I'll be visiting my favorite merchant for another bottle of cognac, because it's Friday! Or is it Thursday...? Bah. Who cares.