And Where will you find such Men and such Horses

It's New Year's Eve, a time when many reflect on the past year, and set goals for the new year coming.  Often this reminiscing/promising is done with a favorite beverage.  One liquid that may flow in above average quantities today is Guinness Stout.  On December 31st, 1759, Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000 year lease at a mere (now) £45/annum, and began brewing his famous stout.

Fortunately, Guinness has provided a connection to Walter Scott on its webpage: http://1759.guinness.com/article/2011-02-23/dietribes-oatmeal , beginning with the famous definition from Samuel Johnson's dictionary of oatmeal: ”a grain which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people”; along with a rejoinder, which Sir Walter reported, from Lord Elibank's (perhaps stout foamed) lips: “Very true, and where will you find such men and such horses? ”

 An oat-fueled economy may be just what we need this coming year.