BritishgeneralJamesWolfewasconsideredmadbysomeofhisrivalsinthearmy.In1759,abanquetwasgiveninhishonourthenightbeforehesetsailforAmericatoseizeFrenchCanada.Attheendofthemeal,heleapttohisfeet,drewhisswordandrappedonthetabletoattracteveryone'sattention.Hethenbeganstridingroundtheroom,flourishinghisswordandboastingofwhathewasgoingtodototheFrenchwhenhemetthem.Thenhemarchedabruptlyoutoftheroomandwasgone.
PrimeMinisterWilliamPittwasshocked."GoodGod!"hesaid."AndIhavetrustedthefateofthecountrytothatman."WhatPittdidnotknowwasthatWolfewasanabstainerandthewinehehadhadhadgonestraighttohishead.
英國將領詹姆斯.烏爾夫被軍中一些和他爭競的人視為瘋子。一七五九年,他渡海赴美洲攻取法屬加拿大前一晚,同僚設宴送行,到筵席將散,他一躍而起,拔劍擊桌,待大家望着他,就一邊舞劍一邊大步繞室而行,誇言遇到法軍會怎樣料理他們,最後突然大步走到門外,逕自離去。
威廉.庇特總理吃了一驚,說:「老天,我把國家命運委託了給這個人!」他不知道烏爾夫平日不喝酒,剛才一喝,就給酒衝昏了頭腦。
【附注】Togotoone'shead指「使人興奮」或「(酒)使人醉醺醺」,例如:(1)Hisinitialsuccesshadgonetohishead,andhebecameoverconfident(他最初很成功,於是飄飄然,變得過分自信)。(2)Thebrandyisgoingtomyhead(我喝了白蘭地酒,漸覺不勝酒力)。