From the diary of Samuel Pepys (1663-1703)
At noon to Anth. Joyces to our gossips dinner; I had sent a dozen and ahlf bottles of wine thither and paid my double share besides, which is 18s. Very merry we were, and when the women were merry and ris from table, I above with them, ne'er a man but I, I begin discourse of my not getting of children and prayed them to give me their opinions and advice; and they freely and merrily did give me these ten among them. 1. Do not hug my wife too hard nor too much. 2. Eat no late suppers. 3. Drink Juyce of sage. 4. Tent and toast. 5. Wear cool Holland-drawers. 6. Keep stomach warm and back cool. 7. Upon my query whether it was best to do at night or morn, they answered me neither one nor other, but when we have most mind to it. 8. Wife not to go too srait-laced. 9. Myself to drink Mum and sugar. 10. Mrs Ward did give me to change my plat. The 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, and 10th they all did seriously declare and lay much stress upon them, as rules fit to be observed indeed, and especially the last: to lie with our heads where our heels do, or at least to make the bed high at feet and low at head. -- Pepys' Diary, 26 Jul. 1664