Meie Perkampe. Vol. 67.
EXPOSE

OF THE
CAUSES
OF
INTEMPERATE DRINKING,
AND
THE MEANS
BY WHICH
IT MAY BE OBVIATED.
BY THOMAS HERTTELL,
OF THE CITY OF NEW-YORK.
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE NEW-YORK SOCIETY FOR
THE PROMOTION OF INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT,
NEW-YORK:
PRINTED BY E. CONRAD, No.4 FRANKFORT-STREET.
1819.


TO
CHARLES G. HAINES, ESQ.
Corresponding Secretary to the New-York Society
for the Promotion of Internal Improvement.
SIR,
SHould the Society concur with me in the
position, that intemperate drinking is inimical to
agricultural and mechanical, as well as moral im-
provement; and think the contents of the accom-
panying pages calculated, in any degree, to re-
move that obstacle to the accomplishment of their
laudable views, they are at liberty to make such
use of them as they may deem most likely to
produce the desired effect.
I have the honor to be, sir,
Your's respectfully,
THOMAS HERTTELL.
New York, Nov. 1, 1819.

OTTO

EXPOSE.
10000107
PROBABLY no single cause tends so much to the
debasement and demoralization of the human family, as
the intemperate use of ARDENT DRINK.
66 This most
prolific source of mischief and misery, (says an able pa-
per*,) drags in its train almost every species of suffer-
ing which afflicts the poor. In relation to poverty and
vice, it may be emphatically stiled the cause of causes*. ?
Next to intemperate catingt, more mortal bodily disor-
ders are derived from intemperate drinking, than from
any other source. War, plague, pestilence and famine,
combined, perhaps cannot number more victims, than
fall by the use of this all-devouring liquid fire. No one
vice is destructive of so many virtues-and, I will ven-
ture to say, that it is the only vice, the extreme of
which destroys in its votaries, every vestige of all the
virtues which they might otherwise have possessed.
“ Viewing," says the paper above alluded to, “ the
enormous devastation of this evil on the minds and mo-
rals of the people, we cannot but regard it as the crying
and increasing sin of the nation.” True it is, and it is
truly mortifying that candor demands the acknowledg-
ment, that our country is distinguished among the
na-
* The first Report of the Committee of the “ New-York Society for
the prevention of Pauperism."
† Tho' it is an unsettled question among physicians, many are of
opinion, that owing to the refinement in the art of compound cookery,
by which the taste and appetite are provoked to excess, more people die
of disorders occasioned by immoderate eating, than by immoderate
drinking.

tions most addicted to intemperate drinking, and that
this abominable vice is imputed to us as part of our na-
tional character. It has prevailed, and is prevailing
to an alarming extent, and should its progress continue
unrestrained, its inevitable issue must be, a miserable
and wretched population : incapable of preserving their
political liberties, and unworthy the blessings of a free
government.
Amid the regrets, however, which the contemplation
of so much existing and threatened mischief is calculat-
ed to excite, it is no trifling cause of felicitation to know,
that this MAMMOTH of evils is beginning to attract the
public attention, and the means of obviating its present
and averting its future consequences, becoming a mat-
ter of much public solicitude. Its existence is now ge-
nerally acknowledged, its progress marked, and its ef-
fects deplored. It is traced to the Grog-shop, where
many of its most degrading effects are discovered, and
mis-taken for causes, and the remedy attempted to be
applied. So general is the impression, that the taverns
and retail groceries are the primary or principal causes
of the evil, that almost every legislative or other public
measure, intended to restrain it, has been predicated on
that supposition, and their operation directed against
those establishments as the cause of the mischief. In-
deed we seldom hear a discourse or conversation, pub-
lic or private, on the subject of intemperate drinking,
wherein these places are not deprecated as the source
of the vice, and its extent limited to the class of people
who drink there.
It is true, that the practice of tippling is pursued, and
many of its most degrading effects are witnessed at
grog-shops ;-and altho' they may,
instances,
in many

induce the commencement of the use of ardent drink,
the greater evil of them arises from the facility which
they afford to the gratification of the acquired habit,
and the interest which prompts the landlords to devise
a variety of expedients which are too successfully prac-
tised to lure company, and induce them to drink.
I mean not to cast an indiscriminate censure on ta-
verns. They were originally intended for the enter-
tainment of travellers and sojourners; and many of
them are now established with honorable views, and
managed in a manner highly creditable to their con-
ductors, and useful to the public. The number, how-
ever, exceeds public requirement, and seems to be limit-
ed only by the number of persons desirous to keep
them. The greatest portion of tavern licences are now
obtained for the almost exclusive purpose of selling
drams; and their utility bears no proportion to their
mischievous influence on the community.
Tho' I am not disposed to become the advocate of
grog-shops, or to avert from them any portion of merit-
ed animadversion or inclined to become the apologist
of those who, under color of keeping a tavern, follow
the business of dram-selling; I am not willing that these
places should be considered either as the primary or
principal cause of the evil under review. The current
opinion that such is the case, is incorrect, as I shall endea-
vor to shew. And I am induced to do this, from the con-
viction that the mistake is calculated to stop investigation
short of the true source, and thus prevent the remedies
from reaching the fountain-head of the evil. It happens
in this, as in too many other instances, that the little sin-
ners become the subjects of censure, while those whose
erimes differ from them only in magnitude, are over-

[ 8 ]
looked, or treated with complaisance. Is it wrong to
sell liquor by the glass, to those who drink it--and is
it not wrong to sell it by the hogshead for the
purpose
of its being so disposed of? Are both these culpable,
and shall those who import and sell it by the cargo
escape obloquy? And does the distiller differ from all
those, in any other respect, than that he makes while
they sell the poison for the purpose of its being drank?
It is not my intention to censure the latter any more
than the former class of dealers in ardent drink; and
justice forbids that blame should attach exclusively to
either. They are all particepes criminis, inasmuch as
they all contribute facilities to the practice of intemper-
ate drinking, and thus aid the continuance and increase
of the evil. But its most prolific sources are not to be
w among those classes of our fellow-citizens, considered
in their business character. They only conform to the
customs and habits of the community in which they
live. They find their neighbors in the practice of
using ardent drink, and profit by their folly. No one
would be so weak as to invest his money in ardent li-
quor with the expectation of learning people to drink.
It is the already acquired habit, which constitutes the
basis of his calculations of profit. So far, therefore,
from grog-shops being the primary or principal cause
of intemperate habits, the reverse of the position ap-
proaches nearer the truth. The habit of intemperance
is the cause of grog-shops.
As the vice under consideration did not originate at
those places, it is not limited to the class of people who
drink there. The customers of coffee-houses, hotels,
and other taverns, and the side-boards and wine-cellars
of private houses, prove the truth of this position. The

landlords of those establishments would take it in dud-
geon, to be told that their customers were of the lowest
grade of society; and the proprietors of well-stored
side-boards and wine-cellars, would be highly offended
at the imputation of drinking, or learning to drink, at
grog-shops. If the practice of tippling was confined to
the lower order of society, it could not with any pro-
priety be regarded as a national sin. The character
and habits of that class of the community can never
alone constitute national character. Admitting, there-
fore, that intemperate drinking is justly attributed to
us as a feature of our national character, it follows
irrefutably, that the causes which produce that effect
are not confined to the purlieus of bar or tap-rooms.
The upper classes of society never follow the examples
of the lower : but the latter do, as far as they are
able, imitate the customs of the former. Had the ha-
bit of intemperance originated in the lower class, it
would not, in all probability, have extended beyond it.
As its prevalence is so general as to become a reproach
to the nation, the inference is conclusive, that it is the
progeny of higher parentage than grog-shops.
Altho’ these places occasion much of the vice com-
plained of, and the larger dealers in ardent drink, by
contributing facilities to its practice, influence its in-
crease and duration; there are other causes which con-
stitute the radical sources of the evil, to which no at-
tention seems to have been paid—no remedy attempt-
ed to be applied—and of which grog-shops and all
their attendant train of vice and immorality, are but a
part of the effects. It becomes proper here to state,
what I am confident I shall be enabled to prove, that
the intemperate use of ardent liquor, originates in the
B

10
]
fashions, habits, customs, and examples, of what are
called the upper or wealthy classes of the community.
Who is there so ignorant of the customs of our coun-
try, as not to know that intoxicating liquors are univer-
sally used as a daily table drink, and that the excep-
tions to this remark, are not sufficient to impair its
truth as a general observation. The total absence of
wines, and other inebriating liquors, on those occasions,
so rarely happens, that when such an instance occurs,
it is sure to become the subject of ill-natured remark,
and is usually attributed to meanness and parsimony.
Such being the practice, the parents of a family
must, of necessity, adopt one of the two following mea-
sures :- The children must be permitted to partake of
the common table beverage, or they must not. In the
first case they are reared from their childhood to the
habitual use of ardent drink. If the other course is
pursued, and the use of the liquor interdicted to the
children, while the parents daily drink it in their pre-
sence, he is very little acquainted with human nature,
who does not know, that the value of the article is
thereby arbitrarily enhanced—the disposition to enjoy
it increased,-and, that as soon as the restraints of the
parents are removed, and an opportunity presents, the
forbidden fruit will be tasted, with as much avidity as
if both conscience and justice demanded satisfaction
for lost time and pleasures. Under such circumstan-
ces, how vain is it to hope that children will not acquire
the habit of intemperance and how weak is it to won-
der at their becoming drunkards! Parents can hard-
ly be said to have arrived to years of discretion, who
shall expect that their admonitions against intemperance
will be heeded, while their daily example is counter-

[ 11 1
acting their influence. How ridiculous it is for them,
while drinking wine and brandy in the presence of their
children, to attempt to persuade them, that it is not
good for them! Should it happen, that in a family of
half a dozen sons, there should be a sober man, the
merit is his, and not his parents’; nor are they to be
pitied, except for their folly, should they all be drunk-
ards; and such is frequently the result. Thus, almost
every family becomes a school for intemperance, and a
nursery of customers for taverns and grog-shops.
Again_Inebriating liquors have become the medi-
um universally adopted by society for manifesting
friendship and good will, one to another. It need on-
ly to be mentioned to be admitted, that it is the com-
mon practice, when friends or even strangers visit each
other, they have scarcely time after being seated to
make the usual inquiries about health, and the common
place remarks on the weather, before they are invited
to drink intoxicating liquors. The welcome is deemed
kind and sincere, in proportion to the frequency, and
earnestness of the importunities to drink-liberal in
proportion to the variety of the liquors; and their rich-
ness and profusion add to the other temptations to
drink. Not to offer them would be deemed unfriend-
ly, mean or unmannerly. Not to accept them, would
be attributed to ill-nature, or a want of politeness.
Hence, the visitor drinks to reciprocate good will for
the proffered kindness, or in self-defence against the
imputation of ill-breeding. And the visited, takes, a
glass for the company's sake, as it is called; and to
evince his satisfaction on seeing his hospitality accept-
ed in the spirit in which it is offered. In this
way
do
the laws of fashion and custom constrain people to

12
3
drink, who otherwise would have no inclination, or
who have acquired that inclination, from the frequent
if not daily occasions which occur, for tendering and
reciprocating through the customary channel, senti-
ments of hospitality and good will to their associates,
friends, and strangers. Thus is the vice of intemperate
drinking ingrafted on the virtue of hospitality; and
so long as that virtue is cherished, and ardent liquors
continue to be tendered as evidence of its existence, so
long will the use of that article as a drink continue,
and the vice of intemperance grow out of it.
This
unnatural blending of virtue and vice, together with
the practice of using inebriating drink as a table bever-
age, are the radical sources of that intemperance,
which is said to be “the crying and increasing sin of
the nation.” It is at the family table, the first rudi-
ments of intemperance are taught; the first examples
set, and the first essays at tippling attempted. The
practice is continued by the frequent display of hospi-
tality and politeness, through the medium of ardent
drink. The acquired habit, shows itself on holy-days,
at dining and other parties, and on all convivial occa-
sions-is pursued at taverns, and at last, descends to,
and terminates its career at grog-shops. Look at the
catalogue of family misfortunes, and few will be found
to have escaped the direful disease of intemperance ;
few which have not had their prosperity and happiness
blighted by the extreme of that vice, in some one or more
of their members. The evil is as widely spread in the
upper, as in the lower class of society; and although
its most debasing extreme is not so frequently witness-
ed in the former as in the latter; still, if the demerits
of vice are to be graduated by its injurious conse-

[
13
]
quences, intemperance in the wealthy is far more re-
prehensible than in the poorer class. The customs of
the rich, constitute the laws of fashion, and none are
more implicitly observed. Their power seems often
paramount to the laws of morality. Had the habit of
using ardent drink originated with, it would, as I
have before remarked, have been limited to the lower
class; because the rich do not imitate the practices
of the poor, and therefore cannot be contaminated with
their vices: whereas the latter do, to the extent of
their means, follow the fashions of the former, and
hence are vitiated by their evil examples.
“The disposition,” says a celebrated author, " to
admire the rich and powerful, and to despise, at least
neglect, persons of poor and mean condition, is the al-
most universal cause of the corruption of our moral
sentiments. The vices and follies of the powerful and
rich, seem less despised than the poverty and weakness
of the innocent." And he might in truth have added,
that the vices of the poor, even where they result from
the examples of the rich, are held in contempt, while
the same vices in the wealthy, are tolerated, excused, or
pass unnoticed in the disguise of a milder name.
The examples of the rich give a currency to vice,
which, under the imposing influence of fashion, passes
thro' every grade of society, uncensured and unrestrain-
ed, till stripped naked of the influence of wealth and
education, it exhibits itself in the lower class; where
recognized by its native deformity, it takes its true
name and character, and receives that merited ani-
madversion, which, unfortunately for the cause of mo-
rality, it escapes in the higher walks of life. If the
lower class welcome their friends by treating them,

[
]
as it is called, with rum, they only imilate the exam-
ple of the higher, who manifest the same good will thro”
the agency of wine or cordial. This act of the one, is
justly stigmatized with the epithet tippling; while that
of the other, is unjustly honored with the title of hospi-
tality. Though the frequent repetition of this kind-
ness oftener produces drunkenness in the lower, than
in the upper class; it unfortunately happens, that too
many shameful parallels are witnessed at the public
and private dining parties, and other festive revels of
the rich. The victim of hospitality in the first case,
is correctly called a drunkard ; while, in tender strains
of pity and regret, it is said of the other, he is overcome
or overtaken ; or else the disgraceful occurrence is
lightly laughed off as “ a very good joke !"
It is doubtless true, that poverty--want of educa-
tion-frequent examples of crimes--and comparatively
the few sources of amusement among the lower
grades of the community-not only facilitate the pro-
gress of intemperance, but are calculated to produce
the lowest state of debasement, to which that vice is
wont to consign its miserable votaries. Yet the almost
universal use of ardent drink, is sufficient authority for
the assertion, that the number of the intemperate of
the two classes cannot essentially vary. Though there
are more who get drunk in the lower than in the upper
class, there are as many who drink too much in the lat-
ter, as in the former; and the consequences of this
dreadful human hydrophobia, are in many respects the
same in both. If the lower class exhibit in their
per-
sonal appearance, conclusive indications of extreme
intemperance; though not out numbered, they proba-
bly are equalled, by the crimson faced wine-bibbers of

[
15
]
the other. And if we except those paupers in hum-
ble life, who become so from sheer misfortune, and
also those who by means of intemperance, fall from
the upper, to the lower class and could enumerate
those, who without money or fair means, move in the
upper circles, under the respective appellations of
Bucks, Bloods, Dandies, High Blades, and Gentle-
men of Honor ; we should probably find that the Pau-
pers in high life, occasioned by intemperance, connect-
ed with idleness and dissipation, would at least bear a
comparison in point of number, with those of the other
class. True, they are not maintained in the same
manner. Some live by spunging on their friends and
relatives; others are cloathed by the tailors, fed and
provided with liquor by the tavern or boarding-house
keepers, and furnished with stylish equipages by the
livery-men-who are all paid, if paid at all, out of the
additional ten per cent on the bills of their solvent
customers. The most essential difference between the
paupers
of low, and those of high life, is, that the for-
mer live by voluntary, and the latter by forced contri-
butions. The one subsists by favor and the other by
frauds on the public.
Having developed the radical sources of the habit
of intemperate drinking; it becomes proper that I
should now consider the means best calculated to cor-
rect the evil. Before, however, I undertake this, it
may
not be amiss to state, what I think need not be
attempted for that purpose. It is a great error in
legislation, to tax vice and immorality--because, the
effect of such a tax, is rather to increase than diminish
the subject of taxation. It is true, that the imposing of
such a tax, is generally popular, under the honest but

[ 16 7
mistaken opinion, that to burthen vice and immorality
with heavy taxes, tends to discourage them; whereas,
by a little reflection, it will be seen, that the moment
a revenue is raised from them, government becomes in-
terested in their continuance and increase. The policy
of government, is but the aggregate of the individual
policy of those who administer it. Hence, govern-
ments like individuals, are seldom found voluntarily to
impair their own resources, or obstruct the channels
thro' which they derive their income. On the contra-
ry, they are strongly inclined to nurse and cherish their
treasury; and the powerful influence of interest acting
on human weakness and cupidity, operates to prevent
a too scrupulous investigation, should the means not
exactly correspond with the strictest rules of morality
or sound policy. It is for this reason, it sometimes, and
indeed too often happens, that when the subject of tax-
ation is found to militate against the cause of morality,
or the best interests of the community, every attempt
to do it away, is opposed—and every argument urged
in favor of reform, is met by the treasury logic, “it
won't do—it will injure the revenue.” The proprietors
of domestic manufactories, have felt the truth of this re-
mark; and our mercantile men can quote the failure
of their attempts to restrain auction sales, as a case in
point. So true is it, that my opinion on the subject
under immediate consideration, is not singular, that I
have heard the owners of domestic manufacturing es-
tablishments express a wish, “that government would
collect the revenue through the medium of American
instead of foreign goods. The duly would amount to
no more to the consumer, nor the revenue less to the
government. They would then not see us sinking in-

[ 17 ]
to ruin, without some efficient exertions to save us;
least by our fall the revenue nould be injured." True,
in that case, interest would unite with patriotism, to
sustain our manufactories; and the rival industry of
foreign nations would not, as now, be a source of idle-
ness, pauperism and crime, in our country. Can any
one believe, that a tax imposed on houses of lewdness,
would operate to discourage them, and lessen their
number? The language of such a measure would be
this: “ The evil is admitted to exist, but shall be toler-
ated on condition of paying a tax to government, as
the price of forgiveness and absolution.” Thus, by
permitting, tolerating, and forgiving the sin of keeping
such houses, they would be legalized, and their num-
ber and consequences increase rather than diminish.--
Such are at all times the lamentable effects of taxing,
instead of interdicting vice and immorality;—and the
impolicy of taxing tavern licences is not different.
The influence they gain in society, by becoming useful
in point of pecuniary profit, to the authority by which
they are created, serves to increase their number, and
is in no wise calculated to mend the morals or improve
the piety of the public. The introduction of intoxicat-
ing liquors into our country, so far from being deemed
by the government a misfortune, that the increased
revenue arising from their importation, has been exult-
ingly quoted as evidence of the great commercial
prosperity of the nation! So thoughtless and inconsis-
tent are men, otherwise distinguished for their wisdom,
that as moralists and philanthropists, they will deplore
the increase of intemperate drinking, as a public ca-
lamity; and in the next breath, rejoice as patriots, at
C

[ 18 ]
the increase of the means of intemperance, as evidence
of increasing national felicity!
Altho' the curtailing the number of taverns, (I mean
those which are properly speaking grog-shops,) would
be productive of salutary results, inasmuch as it would
tend to diminish the facilities to the practice of intem-
perance; yet it would be a measure but of limited and
partial operation. Tho'it might in a degree lessen
the practice, it would not destroy the habit of intem-
perance. I should fear its most obvious effect would
be to increase the customers of those retained, and thus
make the business more desirable by making it more
profitable. The interdiction of the whole number of
taverns of the description alluded to, would probably
fall short of the attainment of the desired object-one
of its most prominent consequences would be, to induce
the intemperate to seek out other sources for the indul-
gence of their predominant propensity. The grocery
stores (strictly so called) would thence experience an
accession of custom. While the general practice of
using ardent spirits continues, excessive drinking will
flow from it—that vice, like love and revenge, will sur-
mount almost every interposing obstacle to its gratifica-
tion. Should there remain a solitary place where li-
quor can be procured, the sin of intemperance will
continue to be committed, and its associate vices and
immorality, entailed on society. And I may add, that
while the cause exists, and grog-shops continue to be
licenced, the futility of the hope to regulate them, is
proved by the failure of every attempt heretofore made
for that purpose—for we must acknowledge that those
attempts have been abortive, when it is known, that
besides excessive tippling, many species of gambling

[ 19 ]
are carried on in many of them, with as little disguise as
if the law enjoined their practice.
If a physician undertakes to cure a disorder, it is not
only necessary that he should know the complaint, but
he should be acquainted with the causes which pro-
duce it, before he can, with any certainty of success,
apply a remedy. If he mistakes the disorder, or its
causes, it would be but accidental, should his prescrip-
tion be correct; and a wrong one is seldom, if ever,
harmless. Tho' it may not of itself directly increase
the complaint, it is followed by the mischief of draw-
ing the attention from the true applications, and the
malady is suffered, uninterruptedly, to progress in its
natural course, to its fatal consequences. Besides, re-
peated, ill-directed, and unsuccessful attempts to cure
a disorder, often lead to the erroneous conclusion, that
it is irremediable; the further effort hopelessly aban-
doned, and the mischief permitted to survive. In short,
I
very
much doubt, or rather, I do not believe, that the
radical causes of intemperate drinking, have ever been'
recognized by any measures which have been adopted
to correct it-for, in opposition to all that has been
done, the evil and its consequences have not only con-
tinued, but continued to increase. Hence it follows
that the means adopted for remedy, have never been
directed to, or reached the source of the mischief.
I do not mean to deny, that legislative enactments,
literary and religious institutions, may, as auxiliary
means, be productive of essential benefit. But I do no
less conscientiously than confidently assert, that their
influence in checking or destroying the vice of intem-
perance,
has neither been obvious or useful. Notwith-
standing the numerous legislative acts intended for that

[
20
]
purpose, and the unexampled increase of churches,
schools and religious societies, the vice under conside-
ration, so far from sustaining any visible check, has be-
come “ the crying and increasing sin of the nation."--
The reason of this is plain. Their operations have
been directed against the effects rather than the origi-
nal causes of the evil; and so long as this shall be the
case, a different result cannot be reasonably expected.
Admonition, tho' good in itself, is generally unavail-
ing when unaccompanied by example; and perhapsin no
case is it more so, than in that of which we are speak-
ing. Besides, who will undertake the task? Should
a body of respectable wholesale grocers be deputed to
go to the retailers, and tell them that “ the Box of Pan-
dora is realized in the kegs of liquor which stand on
their counters," and endeavor to prevail on them to
sell no more; would they not very pertinently be ask-
ed, how much health and morality are contained in the
pipes and puncheons which incumber their stores ?
Should a body of importers of ardent liquors, proceed
on the same errand, would they not be told, that if it is
wrong to sell a little, it cannot be right to sell a great
deal of the causes of vice and immorality. The dis-
tillers would succeed no better. They would probably
be hailed as the elder brothers of the craft. Should
all these be succeeded by a body of gentlemen of other
vocations, or of no vocation at all, the nine they drink
would illy qualify them to deliver a lecture against the
intemperate use of ardent liquor. And without intend-
ing any thing irreverent or disrespectful, should the
Reverend the Clergy undertake the pious work of re-
formation, and begin their ministration among the
dram-sellers and their customers, telling the former

21 )
that “ the kegs on their counters contain the causes of
vice and immorality—that in the liquor they sell,
they “ deal damnation” to their customers," and ad-
monish the latter not to buy; for, in drinking of those
causes of vice and immorality, they drink perdition to
their own souls; would they not rather rudely be told,
to set their own house in order, before they scrutinize
the condition of their neighbors--that there are in their
congregations, some who make-many who import-
more who sell—and but few who do not drink ardent
spirits—and too many who drink too much. Would it
not be said to them, as with equal or more propriety it
might to all the others, dismantle
your
sideboards
keep no spirituous liquors but for medical
prorposes-
discard their use as a table beverage-cease to mingle
them with your acts of hospitality and politeness—and
forbear to offer or accept them as evidence of love and
good-will; and then, say the admonished, we will“hear
thee again in this matter.” In the mean time we shall
remain infidels to the doctrine, by which those are
anathematized, who buy or sell intoxicating liquor, by
the small quanlity, while those who buy or sell by the
large, escape reprehension. And we shall continue
blind to the justice of that judgment, which condemns
those who sell ardent drink, and acquits from censure,
those who have wine in their daily feasts, and give
away inebriating liquors, gratis, in the name of hospi-
tality. Yes, the custom of using ardent liquors as a
table drink, and the practice of mingling them as an in-
gredient in our ceremonies of hospitality and politeness,
must be exploded before we can reasonably expect to
exterminate the mischief by the application of any or
every other means---and this, ifitshallever be accomplish-

[
]
22
ed, must be the result of a steady, uninterrupted work
of time and example. The malady is chronic. It is
not the offspring of a day, a year, or a generation. It
is the growth of successive ages, and has hence become
a kind of second nature. Without, therefore, a change
in those customs, it is impossible to eradicate the com-
plaint. While examples of using those drinks in the
manner mentioned, shall continue to be set by the in-
fluential, and the ascendant power of pride, folly and
fashion, shall cause those examples to be followed or
imitated by every class of the community; it requires
not prophetic inspiration correctly to predict, that the
habit of intemperate drinking will continue, and all the
plagues of Pandora, which constitute its retinue, will
inevitably be entailed on society.
But, it will be asked, “how is this to be prevented ?
Who will feel the disposition or dare to take the lead
in the work of reformation ? It is every body's busi-
ress, and like every thing else that is every body's con-
cern, is neglected by every body.” For the honor of
the human species—nay, for the glory of their maker-
let it not be considered thåt the hope of reformation is
fallacious. We are not without patriots—and shall the
honor of their country plead in vain to abolish those
customs which have become a reproach to the nation?
Are there moralists amongst us—and will they not dis-
continue those examples which lead to vice and immo-
rality ? Are there philanthropists, and will they per-
sist in practices which conduce to the degradation and
misery of their fellow-men? Are there not fathers,
who would give their whole estate to reclaim a prodi-
gal son-and will they not yield the distempered plea-
sures of the bottle, to prevent his becoming so?

[
។
23
What parental felicity can exceed that arising from
the contemplation of a worthy and prosperous progeny?
What (but the self-condemning reflection that parental
examples have been the cause) can increase the misery
occasioned by profligate and degenerate offspring? Is
the one event to be desired, and the other averted ?
Parental examples and admonitions must concur, in
teaching to sons lessons of sobriety, industry and fru-
gality, as the basis of earthly prosperity and happiness.
The softer sex, whose pride and pleasure is to please,
strive to recommend themselves by the possession and
display of those qualities they see estimated by the
other sex.
The conjugal union of the young will
thence be succeeded by all, or many of those blessings
which constitute the earthly paradise of their aged pa-
rents. If this is not of itself a sufficient inducement
to pursue the means which lead to such happy results,
look at the reverse of the picture.
Thirty years of European wars, have caused a super-
abundant influx of wealth to our country, which, by of-
fering the means, has, in addition to other causes, facili-
tated the progress of intemperance and dissipation, and
induced a belief in many, that our late commercial pros-
perity has been at least balanced, by the consequent
deterioration of the morals of the community. Those
superfluous means operating on human pride and weak-
ness, have elicited a rivalship in the display of wealth,
by splendid extravagance. The ambition of parents to
make gentlemen and ladies of their sons and daughters,
is unfortunately too often connected with the error of
supposing that stylish living-expensive dress—idle-
ness, and ignorance of any useful occupation, consti-
tute those characters. The prevailing disposition to

[
]
24
admire the upper circles, and follow their examples,
cause their follies to be imitated by many, who, want-
ing the means of meeting the expense, are often dis-
tressed, and sometimes ruined by their vain attempts
to equal, in splendor, their wealthy neighbors. Under
these circumstances, we ought not to be surprised that
so many young men of the present day, are prodigal
and profligate—and the young women are engaged in
little other study than that of the fashions, and em-
ployed in little other business than that of the toilet.---
When connected in matrimony, should their affections
survive the honey-moon, their prospects of domestic
felicity are seldom promising. The one is found incom-
petent to the maintenance, and the other to the man-
agement of the domestic concerns of a family. Waste
is soon succeeded by want, and poverty claims her pau-
pers
for the alms-house, or returns them with an acces-
sion of numbers, to their afflicted friends, unqualified to
earn their own living, and prepared by their idleness
and extravagance, and (not unfrequently) intemper-
ance, to impoverish their parents, and bring “ their
grey hairs with sorrow to the grave.” This is no
sketch of fancy. Instances of its reality are so fre-
quent, that probably few will read this, who cannot re-
fer to one or more cases in confirmation of its truth.
And yet, is it possible that it can have no influence to
induce parents to mend their own manners, in order to
preserve or improve the morals of their children.
Cast an inquiring eye into the upper circles of so-
ciety, and we shall find that the greatest number of the
wealthy men of the present day, have, by means of
sobriety, industry and frugality, emerged from humble
life to their present state of affluence-while too many

L
25
]
of their cotemporaries, who are the descendants of the
preceding generation of opulent families, are seen mo-
ving in the style of poor gentlemen, or have sunk, or
are sinking, to the level of degraded votaries of intem-
perance, and altogether exhibiting but the wreck of
wealth, reputation and happiness, the consequences of
an erroneous education. Parents seem not to read, in
the fate of these, that of their own offspring, whose edu-
cation is the same, or differs only in proportion as the
present is more dissipated than the preceding genera-
tion. How absurd, to expect to secure to children,
health and happiness, by a course of education the re-
verse of that which produced those blessings to their
parents, and raised them to wealth and influence in so-
ciety! How unphilosophical to argue, that like causes
will not be succeeded by similar effects! Judging by
their conduct, however, it would seem as if parents
were equally regardless of causes and consequences !
But, should the appeal to the patriot, the moralist,
the philanthropist, and to parents, be disregarded, a
hope of reformation in the manners and customs of our
country, may still survive. There is remaining a pow-
erful from which much may be reasonably ex-
pected. It will not be anticipated, that an appeal to
the influence of the Church, will be made in vain.
Among those who profess religion, and believe what
they profess, we may certainly calculate, that there are
many who will dare to prove the sincerity of their pro-
fessions by their works. While religion condemns im-
morality, it cannot approve those customs which lead ta
it. If intemperate drinking is immoral and irreligious,
it can be neither moral nor religious to set or continue
D
mean,

( 26 ]
examples, or follow customs or practices, which cause
that “crying and increasing sin.” Having established
the position, that the custom of using inebriating liquor
as a table drink, and the fashionable practice of offer-
ing and accepting it as evidence of hospitality and
friendship, are the primary causes of the habit of in-
temperate drinking and its numerous offspring of evils;
it will not, I hope, be deemed presumptuous, should I
respectfully suggest to the Reverend the Clergy, the
propriety of denouncing those incipient, as well as the
more advanced stages of intemperance, as incompati-
ble with religious professions, and appeal to the truly
pious of their respective flocks to be aiding and assist-
ing in the holy cause of reformation. How can they
escape the imputation of thoughtlessness and inconsis-
tency, who, professing religion, shall be found travel-
ling the first stage on the road to intemperate drink-
ing? A mere mouthful of professions, and a pew in a
Church, will not secure to their possessors, a character
for piety, while they neglect to alter their course. The
observance of the forms, and the performance of the
ceremonies of worship, are not all of religion that is
required of its votaries. Nor, in addition to these, will
the giving of alms to the poor, or gifts to the Church,
counterbalance the demerits of setting or following ex-
amples, which conduce to intemperance, and occasion
more paupers than all their charities are able to re-
lieve. Presume not that the proposed reformation is
impracticable, or that the remote prospect of success is
an adequate excuse for not attempting the work. On
the contrary, its accomplishment is certain, if the work
shall be recommended at the right place, and carried
on with persevering zeal and sincerity. The vice un-

27
]
der consideration, grew out of the customs of the up-
per circles of society, and it is there reformation must
begin, or, most assuredly, time and intemperance will
simultaneously progress, until the freest people on earth
shall become the most degraded.
It will not, I trust, be presuming too much to say,
that the influence of the pious Pastors of the Church
will finally prevail, so far as to induce some of the com-
munity belonging to their respective congregations, to
set the desired example of exploding the use of ardent
liquors in every way except that for which they are
only proper,
and were originally intended, medical
pur-
poses and then the work will begin. The example of
these will be followed by others, who, in their turn,
will draw with them all to whom their influence may
extend—and thus the work will progress, till the ex-
ample of the influential shall effect a change in the cus-
toms of the upper circles of society ; which, taking the
name of fashion, will be followed by every other class,
till the vice of intemperate drinking shall be exploded,
or limited to the profligate of the upper, and the aban-
doned of the lower orders of the community.
What! it
may
be asked by the reader, are we re-
quired to relinquish the use of wine and ardent spirits,
in order to prevent their abuse by others ? Shall we
deny ourselves the reasonable enjoyment of them, be-
cause others become intemperate ? Are we to be in-
terdicted the moderate use of them, because others
drink to excess and get drunk ? As well say
the
quer-
ists, might it be expected that we should extract our
tongues, because others back-bite their neighbors !
In the first place, permit me to remark, that I have
not uttered a word against the moderate or reasonable

[
28
1
use of ardent liquors. But before we go farther, it
may
be proper to analyze the terms, moderation and
intemperance, as they relate to the use of inebriating
drink. There can be no objection to its reasonable, ne-
cessary and moderate use. But I do contend, that the
use of it by any person in a full state of health, is at
all times unnecessary. The effect of strong drink, is
to excite the animal spirits to a preternatural action.-
When taken by a person in full health, it raises the ani-
mal spirits above the healthy standard. This is unne-
cessary—and inasmuch as it creates a deviation from a
state of real health, it produces disease, and hence its
use is immoderate, intemperale. The indirect debility
which succeeds the exhausted stimulant, is another and
a worse state of disorder, which goes to confirm the
truth, that the first draught of ardent drink taken by
those in full health, is unnecessary, unreasonable, and
excessive. Nor is this all—this indirect debility prompts
a repetition of the draught-and now the practice of
drinking has commenced. The animal spirits having
sunk as far below as they have been raised above the
healthy standard, an increased quantity is required to
raise them as high as before. Thus the habit of in-
temperance progresses. The spirits, now ebbing lower
than before, demand increased support; the yielding
to which demand, confirms the habit of intemperance.
But it unfortunately happens, that the term moderate,
when applied to intoxicating drink, by those who use
it, is as unmeaning as the word enough, in the mouth
of a miser, when speaking of his money. Each drinks.
according to his taste and strength of habit, and calls
it moderate. Thus every grade of drinking, from the
single glass of the novice, to the full bottle of the

[
29
1
initiated, is termed moderate. And every degree of
excitement, from moderately merry to moderately
drunk, is honored with the same name. The real truth
is, it is a poor apology for a bad practice; and a mode-
rate degree of reflection would lead those not slaves
to the habit, to view it in that light.
It is not often, that those who are in the daily prac-
tice of using strong drink, are aware of the influence
the habit may have acquired--but let them attempt to
abstain from its use two or three days, and they will
generally find it more deeply rooted than they may
have imagined—and many
who
may
deem themselves
moderate drinkers, because they don't get drunk, will
find their habit of intemperance irrevocably confirmed.
But what will not be said, should I take the ground,
that this moderate drinking, as it is called, is attended
with no less evil consequences to society, than drunken-
ness itself. No person becomes immediately a drunk-
ard; nor ever became so, but thro' the means of mode-
rale drinking-He begins to use ardent spirits mode-
rately, which to a thoughtless, unreflecting mind, pre-
sents little in itself disgusting. The examples being
numerous, and easily followed, are readily embraced,
and thus this moderate drinking, is calculated to beguile
the thoughtless into the habit of intemperance. But
give to a person who has never drank any ardent spi-
rits, enough to make him drunk, on the first, and every
succeeding repetition of the draught, and he will loathe
the sight of the liquor, and fly the cause of such ex-
treme indisposition. This has happened in a thousand
instances to children, who could never afterwards be
reconciled to the use of strong drink. or
mod de

[
30
]
Again–Exhibit to a person who has never witnessed
the effects of ardent drink, no examples of intempe-
rance but those of drunkenness; and let him be told
and believe, that on drinking a single glass of wine or
brandy, he would become as degraded as the disgust-
ing spectacle before him, and he would shrink with
horror, as from death, and refuse the “poisoned cha-
lice.” But if he is taught to believe, that he may drink
moderately, without the hazard of his becoming a
drunkard, he is easily persuaded to make the trial,
and is as certainly allured into the practice of drinking.
I have the authority of distinguished physicians for
remarking, that next to intemperate eating, intempe-
rate drinking engenders more bodily diseases, than
any other single cause. That more die of disorders
occasioned by drinking, before they become drunkards,
than live to extend their intemperance to that extreme.
That the constant exercise of the laboring class, pro-
crastinates, while the want of exercise tends to facili-
tate the fatal effects of intemperance in the other class
of society—and hence it is, that the moderate drink-
ing, as it is modestly termed, of the latler, destroys
at least as many as the drunkenness of the former, and
in that ratio is as injurious to the community. The
reason these facts are not subjects of general observa-
tion, is, that when people who are not reputed drunk-
ards, die of complaints brought on by drinking, their
death is imputed to the disorder, while that escapes
being attributed to its true cause—whereas, reputed
drunkards stand little or no chance of dying by any
other means; for be they drowned by accident or
hanged for murder, their end is generally, and perhaps
too often, correctly ascribed to intemperate drinking.

[
31
]
66
While writing, a friend relates to me an occurrence
which he witnessed, and which is not inapplicable to
our present subject. A proprietor of a manufacturing
establishment, observing one of his journeymen pre-
paring to take a drunken frolic, warmly remonstrated
against his indulging in that degrading conduct-
Why," says the journeyman, “ I don't drink as much
as you do-true, I now and then get drunk, but am
for the most time sober; while you, who can afford to
have the means always at hand, are drinking daily; and
often each day, and in the aggregate, use more ardent
drink than I do." In which remarks, a little reflection
convinced the gentleman there was too much truth.-
Thus it is, those who drink the least, and get drunk,
are correctly called drunkards, while those who drink
most pass for moderate drinkers, only because they do
not get drunk.
This anecdote reminded me of one I heard related
some years since :- While attending a reference at a
tavern,” said Mr. B. who told the story, “ I heard a
gentlemanly looking man call-“ Landlord, let's have
a small glass.” It struck me to be a very reasonable
request, and he who made it not only a modest man,
but a moderate drinker. “ Landlord, a small glass, if
you please," was soon repeated by the same voice
yet it was but a small glass, and that could not be
much. The modest request for the moderate quantity,
was reiterated, until the tenth was ascertained to be one
too many—for it was by means of that unfortunate
glass the gentleman lost his character as a moderate
drinker.” And so it generally is; the victim begins
moderately-progresses moderately—and even in spite
of red eyes and nosem-blotched and bloated face.com

[ 32 1
swelled ancles-tender feet-hoarse voice and trem-
bling limbs, (which are estimated as indications of good
living,) he maintains his character for temperance; and
it is only when he gets undeniably drunk, that he is ac-
knowledged to be the worse for liquor!
It is really wonderful to witness how fertile is the
love of ardent liquor, in excuses and pretences for its
gratification. It is drank at one time, because the wea-
ther is warm-at another, because it is cold. It is
drank with enemies 6 to reconcile them"--with friends,
65 because they don't meet every day”-on all festive,
anniversary and other holy-days, “because they only
come once a year." And if at any or on all those times,
the bounds of moderation are exceeded, it is allowed
to be excuseable, “because those are all extraordinary
occasions !” Real or pretended disorders are also often
plead as an apology for drinking ardent liquor; and
instances are not rare where, tho' it may have been re-
gularly prescribed for medical purposes, and may have
cured the disorder, it has finally killed the patient. It
is doubtless for this reason, that distinguished gentle-
men of the faculty have admitted, that the internal use
of ardent liquor, even in cases in which it is indi-
cated as a medical remedy, is often productive of far
more hurt than good.
The most common pretence, however, is, that the
water is bad, and requires a little spirits to qualify it;
and hence it is infused with a poison of a more delete-
rious quality than any it naturally possessed. This
qualifying of the water, has been the means of dis-
qualifying many a valuable man, for nearly every pur-
pose, except to bring disgrace, ruin and misery on
himself, his family and connections.

[
)
33
I mean not to deny, that a small quantity of ardent
liquor may, as other medicine, be taken, perhaps with
impunity, and possibly with benefit, during or imme-
diately succeeding excessive fatigue or exposure. But
I am supported by an abundance of facts, when I as-
sert, that those not accustomed to its use, (allowing
other circumstances to be equal) will bear fatigue, heat
and cold, better than those who are. Confirmed habit,
however, may, and indeed unfortunately does, make
the use of strong drink necessary, even to the tolerable
performance of the ordinary duties connected with the
daily vocations of those long accustomed to its stimu-
lating influence.
I shall close this part of my subject, by remarking,
that because habitual drunkenness is the lowest ebb of
human debasement, and (what is usually called) mode-
rate drinking the downhill road-nay, the only certain
and direct course which leads to it-because the habit
of drinking is usually progressive; and those who com-
mence it, like gravitating bodies, go faster and faster
till they sink to the level of drunkards, unless disease
and death shall interpose and avert that dire disgrace;
and because, under the various names and multiform
shapes of hospitality, politeness, civility, custom, fash-
ion, good will, and good manners, it is introduced into
all societies—and hence, is calculated to beguile its fol-
lowers into the habit of intemperance-because its
modest name is used to cloak, cover and excuse every
excess short of habitual drunkenness—and finally, be-
cause there is, in reality, no such thing as the moderate
beyond the medical use of intoxicating drink--I feel
myself perfectly assured, I shall not be singular in be-

[
]
34
lieving this moderate drinking, considered in all its
consequences, as fruitful of evils to the community, as
drunkenness itself. And furthermore, that the latter
vice cannot be eradicated during the continuance of
the former.
Trusting that there will be found virtue enough in
our country to make the attempt to explode the use of
ardent liquor as a table drink, and to discontinue the
practice of associating it with the virtues of friendship
and hospitality; I shall proceed to notice some of the
means best calculated to aid and facilitate the great
work of reformation and these consist of such as de-
pend on legislative enactments, and such as may grow
out of the voluntary exercise of the good sense of the
community. In short, the simultaneous co-operation
of both is so indispensible, that the former are of little
or no value, unconnected with the latter. In a govern-
ment like ours, the laws, in order to have their full
force and effect, must be bottomed on public opinion
where that is wanting, they are either successfully op-
posed in their passage, soon repealed, or rendered in-
operative. Such has been the fate of all, or most of
the laws passed, or attempted to be passed, with the
view of limiting the number of taverns to the public
requirement, and of restraining the vice of intemperate
drinking-and such will be the case, unless, as I have
repeatedly remarked, a revolution shall be wrought in
the public mind, in regard to the use of ardent liquor.
This done, efficient laws for reducing the number of
tavern licences, would not only be passed, but strictly
enforced. Those to whose office it might appertain to
execute them, would not incur animadversion, merely
for discharging their official duties--and those of their

[
35
)
fellow-citizens, who may deem the objects and provi-
sions of the laws correct, would not, in case of partial
opposition, remain without making a solitary movement
in support of their due execution.
Great and sudden changes in public measures, are
not generally attended with the best results, and should
be avoided except in cases of extreme emergency.-
When they precede public opinion, they often produce
a mischievous re-action, and thus their actual become
the reverse of their intended operation. The reduction
of the number of taverns, should be gradual. A por-
tion of the excess should be dropped annually, in order
to avoid any public excitement or inconvenience which
might arise by depriving, at one time, a large number
of people of their accustomed business, and compelling
them to seek out new means of gaining a livelihood.----
The license should restrict its holder to sell ardent li-
quor only at the place designated therein. Indeed, such
is now the law, yet it is undisguisedly violated, and ar-
dent liquors are transported and retailed at any and
every place where there may happen to be, on any oc-
casion, a great assemblage of people. By this hawk-
ing and peddling of liquor, many people are induced to
drink, when they would not or could not go to a tavern
for that purpose, and tumult and confusion too fre-
quently follow.
I have taken no pains to ascertain the authority by
which retailers of ardent drink are permitted to fix
stands and booths at the Park and other places, on
days of public parade and festivity. The concentrating
of so many grog-shops at times and places of the great-
est collection of people, tends rather to produce tumult
and confusion, than to preserve good order. These

[
36
1
places not only tempt men to indulge to excess, but
boys are often seen in them following the example-
and it has been remarked, that more of this youthful
class are seen disguised with liquor on those days, than
in all the year beside Indeed, it very rarely occurs
that a boy is seen thus degraded on any other occasion.
Should these travelling taverns be permitted only on
condition that ardent spirits should not be carried to
them, or sold or given gratis there, it would remove
the greatest objection which can be urged against
them. The public would then be accommodated with
every necessary refreshment, without jeopardizing
their peace by means of intemperate drinking.
It would essentially benefit the community, should
the inducements to frequent taverns be lessened. This
may be done in a variety of instances. It is usual in
the country towns, to muster the militia at or in the im-
mediate vicinity of taverns. This practice tends neither
to improve the morality or discipline of the men-and
if they must continue as now to be mustered at those
places, or not mustered at all, I have no hesitation in
saying, that the public would sustain no material injury,
should the latter course be adopted; for it is certainly
true, and the reason is obvious, that many of the men,
at the close of their exercise on those parade days, are
not so well qualified to serve their country, as when
they come to the rendezvous. Much of the evil of the
present practice would be obviated, should military offi-
cers, vested with power to muster any corps of militia
in the country towns, for the ordinary purposes of exer-
cise or inspection, be bound by law to locate the parade
ground at least a mile from any tavern or retail gro-

37
[
cery.* The carrying of ardent liquor to the rendez-
vous, and the selling it there, or giving it gratis to any
person, especially the soldiers, should be interdicted,
under proper penalties, and provision made for due
execution of the law. Other refreshments than ar-
dent drink, being as usual permitted, all the reasonable
conveniencies of taverns would be enjoyed, and many
of those disgusting instances of riot and disturbance,
occasioned by intemperate drinking, and which often
convert our militia parades in the country, into scenes
of disorder and insubordination, rather than schools
for military instruction and discipline, would be done
away.t
The legislature should prohibit justices courts being
held at taverns. The disgraceful scenes which are too
often the consequences of trials at those places, would
thereby be prevented, and the cause of morality, and
not unfrequently, that of justice, essentially benefited.
The same objection lies, tho' perhaps not with equal
force, against sheriff's courts being held at those places.
If the Court-House is not at hand, it must be a beggar-
ly office which would not afford the appropriating of a
room for the performance of its duties in the dwelling
of its incumbent, or pay for the use of a convenient
1
* In the cities it cannot be avoided-military parades in New-York
are conducted very differently from those in the country. It seldom
happens that a militia-man, in this city, is seen intoxicated while on duty.
† Some short time before this paper was in press, I was credibly in-
formed, that a Captain of Cavalry, in a neighboring county, whose com-
pany had been mustered in the vicinity of several taverns, got so drunk
that he several times fell from his horse in front of his company, and was
as often remounted by the assistance of by-standers. At night, he un-
dertook to return home, in company with two persons, who, as they al-
ledged; were so fatigued by the labor of replacing him on his saddle, that
they abandoned him to his fate. The next morning he was found in the
road, with his neck broke. It is highly probable, had his companions
been sober, they would not have left him, or would first have conveyed
him to a place of safety.

[
1
38
place elsewhere for the purpose. The practice of hold-
ing trials at taverns, before referees, appointed by order
of the court, is not exempt from serious objections.-
These, however, being less frequent, are not so pro-
ductive of evil, and, perhaps, are more difficult to be
obviated.
The holding of auction sales at taverns, as is fre-
quently the case in the country, is pregnant with mis-
chief sufficient to justify legislative interposition.-
Those who have witnessed, can best describe them--I
only know them by description. On those occasions,
the number who go to buy, is but small, compared to
those who attend from other motives. The owner of
the property for sale, is seldom backward in circulating
the glass freely at his own expense, because he is like
to receive more than cent per cent profit from the con-
sequent indiscretion of those who become affected with
the spirit of bidding. Many are thus led on to buy
unnecessarily and dear; and frequent instances occur,
where people bid off more than they have means to
pay
for-and thence law-suits, trials at taverns, family
distress, the insolvent act, and perhaps poverty and
pauperism close the account. These are only the out-
lines of the picture, which those who have seen the ori-
ginal, are best qualified to fill up with neglect of domes-
tic concerns--horse-racing and jockeying-profane
swearing—drunkenness-quarrelling, and sometimes
fighting, and a variety of other amusements, not un-
usual on such occasions.
The lamentable consequences of holding the polls of
our political elections at public houses, are too general-
ly known to require particular description. Suffice it
say,
that the noise and tumult--the heated, irritating
to

[
39
]
in-
and useless discussions which frequently oceur, and
which go to impair the respectability of the electors,
and the credit of the elective franchise, are oftener the
result of the spirit of liquor than the spirit of patriot-
ism. As far as legislative provisions can obviate the
evil, it ought to be done. The expense would be small
and the benefit great, should each ward in the cities,
and each town in the country, build a house or room for
the purpose of elections. The profit which might ac-
crue from its use on other occasions, would, in
many
stances, more than pay the interest on its cost. It is a
little remarkable, that the sagacity which prompted
the interdiction of military parades on the days of elec-
tion, as dangerous to the freedom of the elective fran-
chise, did not foresee and guard against the evils conse-
quent on locating the election polls at public houses.
It is hoped that the good sense of the community
will operate to abolish the custom of giving extrava-
gant entertainments, on any occasion, in honor of dis-
tinguished characters. This practice, by leading many
to taverns, and tempting them to indulge freely, is pro-
ductive of more mischief than benefit to society. As
an example, it is bad. People, in the lower walks of
life, cannot be taught, that it is wrong to get drunk in
company with, and out of mere good humor to their
friends, while they see too many of the upper
circles
retire from those feasts, not exactly sober. I humbly
conceive it would be manifesting far higher respect for
a great man, to compliment him with a written address,
approbating his character and conduct, accompied
with a medal, a piece of plate, or other present, esi-
bellished with appropriate insignia and inscriptions.--
These would be lasting testimonials of character and

I
40
]
worth. Being always visible, they would continually
act as stimuli to urge others to emulate the honorable
course by which they were acquired ;—whereas, those
public entertainments are scarcely noticed beyond the
day they are puffed in the newspapers-and if they
were, the honored guest could derive no great satisfac-
tion in the reflection, that his friends had eaten and
drank immoderately, in honor of his virtues. There is
a strong family likeness between these dinners and
those eaten ex-officio by our city corporation.
The meetings of self-created societies at taverns,
cannot, perhaps, at all times, be well avoided. There
doubtless are many of those institutions which are use-
ful—but that there are many which do more hurt than
good, is equally true. They ought, indeed, to be
pro-
ductive of great benefit, to counterbalance the evil ten-
dency they have, to draw their members to taverns at
night. Many a good citizen has, in this way, unwarily
contracted irregular habits—and many a deserving
wife, and family of innocent babes, have had reason to
lament the truth of this remark. It will be a great
pity, if those societies cannot be prevailed on, to pro-
cure other places at which to hold their meetings.-
This might easily be effected, unless too strong a pre-
deliction for tavern meetings should counteract so rea-
sonable a proposition.
The abolition of the custom of giving strong drink
to the maritime class of people, will probably be con-
sidered by many as impracticable; and I am inclined to
think, that should it ever be accomplished, it will be
the inishing effect of the work of reformation. I may,
possibly, be told by some who have bestowed on the
subject, scarcely “ a passing thought," " that it is idle

]
[
to talk about correcting the intemperate habits of sail-
ors--that they cannot be prevailed on to forego the use
of their favorite drink-and that nobody feels sufficient-
ly interested in their welfare, to induce them to under-
take or persevere in any system of measures for that
purpose.” These objections will not be raised by those
numerous and respectable citizens, whose honorable
motives, and philanthropic disposition, have caused
them to associate for the purpose of building Marine
Churches, and distributing Bibles and other religious
books
among the sea-faring portion of our fellow-men.
They surely have admitted the possibility, and enter-
tained the hope of reclaiming sailors to temperate
habits, as the substratum of moral and religious im-
provement-otherwise, what benefit could be expected
from distributing religious books among them? What
good could result from building churches for their use?
It will not be contended, that men can be made either
moral or religious, during the continuance of intempe-
rate habits. If bibles and rum continue to be given to
men habitually intemperate, can there be a particle of
doubt, which will be most used? And when the rum
is out, will the bible be used for any other purpose than
as the means of getting more? I have been informed,
that the instances are not few, where religious books,
which have been distributed gratis, from the best of
motives, have been sold or pawned for liquor! And I
think it highly probable-for, with those addicted to
intemperate drinking, nothing is so desirable as ardent
spirits, and no sacrifice too great for their acquisition.
While grog-shops can be found, will not men of intem-
perate habits attend them in preference to churches,

1 42
]
and in that case, can the latter work any change in
their habits, or prevent the immorality occasioned by
excessive drinking?
Let me not be misunderstood. I have no desire to
prevent religious books being put into the hands of
mariners; nor am I arguing to discourage the building
of churches for their accommodation-but I do feel
solicitous that other means should, at the same time,
be pursued, to lessen or destroy the use of ardent drink
among that useful, tho' thoughtless class of people-
because, I am not convinced that any great or lasting
benefit will arise from the two former, in the absence
of the latter measures.
I would not be thought so visionary, as to suppose,
that the present generation of sailors can be fully re-
claimed-for, when once the love of ardent drink is
confirmed, it requires but little less than a miracle to
eradicate it. But I do believe it within the scope of
possibility, to explode the custom of giving to sailors
ardent liquor, and to prevent the daily use of it on ship-
board. The practice of using it as drink, would thus
be lessened, and the succeeding generation stand a bet-
ter chance of being sober men, and more promising
subjects for intellectual and moral improvement.
But are there none sufficiently interested, to induce
them to attempt to restrain the intemperance of mari-
ners? Have not hundreds of vessels, thousands of
lives, and millions of property, been wrecked and lost
by means of ardent liquor; and have ship-owners and
underwriters no interest in the sobriety of sailors ?
Would not a ship-owner prefer a sober to an intempe-
rate man to command his vessel, and with whom to con-
fide his property; and is it a matter of indifference to

1
43 1
him whether that master employs a drunken or a sober
crew? Is it a matter of no consequence to under-
writers, whether the officers of an insured vessel are
sober or intemperate; and is not the risque increased,
when the crew are drunkards, beyond what it would
be, were they not so ? Would insurers willingly pay
a loss occasioned by the intemperance of the master;
and would they pay one occasioned by the intemper-
ance of the sailors, with any better grace? I trust
that ship-owners and underwriters will see, that they
are specially interested in the sobriety and moral im-
provement of those to whom they are, of necessity,
obliged to intrust their property, and who, thus, in a
manner, have a hold on their purse-strings. They,
more than any, and perhaps every other class of the
community, have it in their power to abolish the cus-
tom of giving ardent liquors to mariners, and prevent-
ing its use, as a common drink on ship-board. The
present state of commerce is propitious to the attempt.
Seamen are plenty, and not in great demand, and
wages low. Should their employers be particular to
engage none but the soberest men, the very preference
thus given, would operate as a reward for sobriety, and
tend to discountenance adverse habits. And it would
advance the object, should underwriters, before they
insure a vessel or cargo, direct their inquiries into the
character and habits of the officers and crew, and re-
gulate their premium accordingly. This would work
an increase of the interest which ship-owners have in
employing none but officers and men of the most tem-
perate habits, and excite a corresponding vigilance in
that respect.

[
44
]
The pre-
I would yet hope that there are some among the nu-
merous body of seamen, whose love of ardent liquor is
not so irrevocably confirmed, but that they may be re-
conciled to the interdiction of its use on ship-board
more especially, should their monthly wages be increas-
ed the value of the usual allowance of rum.
sent custom of furnishing them with that article, would,
in this way, receive a blow, which, with due persever-
ance, might be followed up-and, in time, the new re-
gulation extended to the whole class, and ultimately be
enforced by a proper clause for that purpose in the
shipping articles, creating a forfeiture of a specific por-
tion of the wages of any seaman who shall carry or
drink ardent spirits on ship-board, and an additional
sum for getting drunk while in the service of his em-
ployer. This would be strictly equitable-for, by
violating a stipulated and salutary regulation, and set-
ting such an evil example to the rest of the crew, his
value to his employers becomes materially impaired,
and his recompence should be proportionably diminish-
ed. By these and such other measures of similar im-
port which time and circumstances might suggest,
apprentices and raw hands would escape the daily ex-
ample of intemperate drinking; be less liable to be-
come attached to that vice, and hence be rescued from
its numerous train of evil consequences.
It is perfectly futile to alledge, that the depravity of
seamen, is the natural effect of the employment they
pursue. The advocates of maritime trade, will surely
not assent to such an absurd position. Had commerce
the natural tendency to debase those engaged in it, to
a condition which scarcely merits the name of civiliza-
tion, is there a good man in community who would

[
45
]
not insist on its immediate and total annihilation? Are
the morals, and even the reasoning faculties of men, to
be sacrificed for the profits of trade? Will it be al-
ledged that drunkenness, and all its black and bloody
catalogue of crimes, are to be permitted and eternized,
merely to enable us to exchange the excess of the
pro-
duce of our own, for the superfluous productions of
other countries? Be commerce dignified by whatever
name, or protected by whatever favor it
may,
it
amounts to no more or less than that at last. This
kind of trade was carried on long anterior to the use
of ardent drink by seamen.* The time was, there-
fore, when they were sober men. To make them so
again, requires but a steady and uninterrupted course
of counteracting measures.
But is it in reality true, that nobody feels interested
in the sobriety and moral improvement of mariners ?-
If the philanthropist will only sigh over their wretch-
edness, and the moralist believe his duty to end with
his denunciation of their depravity ; if commercial men
shall deem it supererogation should they interpose ; in
* In the year 1740, Admiral Vernon commanded the British fleet in
the West-Indies. His undress coat was made of grogram, a cloth fabri-
cated of silk and worsted. He was very unpopular in the fleet, and the
sailors, in allusion to his coat, nick-named him Old Grogram ; and after-
wards, by way of shorteping it, they called him Old Grog. When ar-
dent liquor was first given to sailors, and until the time above-mentioned,
it was drank ran—but being found to produce many fatal bodily diseases,
and the naval service thereby much injured, the Admiral directed that
the rum should be weakened with water. The men were highly dis-
pleased at having their drink thus spoiled, and in derision of the Admiral,
called it by his abbreviated nick-name, “ Grog." This is the reason that
rum, mixed with water, bears that name. Let it be observed, that be-
cause the raw rum was found to produce deleterious effects on the health
of the sailors, the Admiral ordered that it should be mixed with water.
Now, as it probably could not require many years to make that discovery.
it is fair to conclude, that the first use of ardent spirits, as a daily drink
on ship-board, could not have been a very great length of time anterior
to the year 1740.

[
]
short, if nobody will stir a step, or lift a finger to be-
gin and execute the proposed work, then indeed is it
folly to talk about correcting the habits or improving
the morality of that unfortunate and friendless class
of our fellow-men; and succeeding generations must,
like the present submit to be ranked with the lowest
grades of civilized society.
As an additional inducement to attempt to avert such
a deplorable consequence, I will further remark, that
habitual mendacity is an acknowledged and common
companion of intemperate drinking; and that this effect
of that vice is particularly remarkable among the class
of people of whom we are speaking. My situation for
more than twelve years, on the bench of the Marine
Court of the city of New-York, has given me the op-
portunity to know, that far the greatest portion of those
riots and disturbances which have happened on ship-
board, and which have eventuated in suits in that court,
have originated in excessive drinking; and all or most
of that disgusting scene of perjury, which doubtless the
gentlemen of the bar who attend that court, will concur
in stating, is greater and more common in these than in
any other trials, may fairly be attributed to the same
cause. It is not intended to confine these remarks to
men before the mast; it unfortunately happens that
the testimony of the officers are not always calculated
to dissipate doubts. This disregard of truth has long
been a theme of loud and bitter remonstrance on the
part of commercial men. But, if they continue to em-
ploy intemperate characters, and give them, as usual,
intoxicating drink, their complaints of effects, the causes
of which they contribute to produce, must ever, as
heretofore, prove unavailing.

[
3
On another occasion, I have mentioned, and will here
repeat, that the baleful practice of giving ardent liquor
to laborers, ought to be exploded. This custom has
so powerfully aided other causes of intemperance, that
there is scarcely to be found among the laboring class,
any
who do not drink, and drink too much. It is un-
questionably owing, in a great measure, to this, that
the apprentices to many mechanical branches, are
initiated into the habit of intemperance, before they
acquire a knowledge of their trade; and it is certainly
owing to the same cause, that many do not gain a per-
fect knowledge of their business. Here, too, we see
a powerful objection operating, to prevent many res-
pectable parents from putting their sons to mechanical
occupations. Hence, many a promising mechanical
genius is smothered in the warehouse, or doomed to
add a useless member to the already over-run and
over-rated learned professions. This serves to de-
grade the honorable calling of mechanics, which suffers
another depression from the necessity which these cir-
cumstances create, of taking apprentices from the lower
circles of society, whose want of the requisite educa-
tion disqualifies them for attaining an adequate know-
ledge of their trade. In addition to this, the master
mechanic, growing wealthy by his business, too often
becomes infected with the follies and fashions of upper
life-in which sphere some are fitted only to appear
ridiculous. Their sons, forsooth, must be above their
fathers' business. They must be brought up gentle-
men-and, of course, reared in idleness and extrava-
gance, or become professional men or merchants -
Thus, by their conduct, they give countenance to those
doroti

[
48
1
whose weakness may dispose them to undervalue me-
chanical occupations.
Should the philanthropic views of the present state
administration, and those of the numerous agricultu-
ral associations throughout the union be realized, the
time is coming when the honest, industrious, intelli-
gent farmer, shall resume his pristine rank and conse-
quence; and the mechanic of equal merits, shall be
ranged by his side. Useful industry will then become
fashionable, and idleness no longer rated a gentleman,
but a vagabond in the community. What single mea-
sure would do more to further such desirable events,
than the destruction of the custom of giving ardent
spirits to working people of every description. This
done, the task would not be difficult to explode its use
altogether in that class as a common beverage. What
is the difference in point of interest to the employer,
between a sober man and a man half the time half
drunk? A portion of the actual difference paid as ad-
ditional wages, would enable him to select sober work-
men-and in some degree, those whose habits
be confirmed, might be thereby induced to forego the
use of ardent drink. The respectability of mechani-
cal occupations would thence be increased, in pro-
portion to the increased respectability of those engaged
in them. This would remove the source of the objec-
tions which many people now have to rear their chil-
dren to mechanical trades. There being no intempe-
rate masters or journeymen, the apprentices would
learn their respective trades without simultaneously
learning to drink. This would tend to lessen the un-
due proportion of commercial and professional men, and
increase the quantum of morality, health, and useful
may not

[
]
49
industry, and also destroy some of the causes of pau-
perism and wretchedness.
The great number of public holy-days (as they are
termed) which are generally observed, are not without
their pernicious influence on the morals of society.-
Was the manner of their celebration such as to honor
the events they are intended to commemorate their ob-
servance, if not useful, would at least be innocent in
their consequences. But were we to judge their ob-
jects solely by the manner in which they are kept, and
the effects they produce, we might be led to the er-
roneous conclusion, that they were instituted to sub-
serve the causes of vice and immorality. The general
suspension of useful employment on those days, is fol-
lowed by an increased indulgence in drinking; and this
accounts for there being more crimes committed on
those days, than in any other equal period of time. On
the authority of a gentleman who was on the first
Grand Jury which sat in the present year, I state, that
far the greatest portion of the business of that Jury,
grew out of crimes and disorders committed during
the Christmas and New-Year holy-days. When it is
observed, that the court for the trial of criminals is
held once a month, and crowded with business, it would
be superfluous to add arguments to such facts.
The custom of giving wine and other liquors at fune-
rals, is not at all calculated to increase the solemnity of
those occasions. The practice is bad, and ought to be
discountenanced by those whose example may influence
others to follow it. Instances have happened, where
the effects of this ill-timed hospitality, have been very
justly lamented. How such an absurd custom was first
G

[
50
]
introduced, is not, perhaps, so evident as the impro-
priety of its continuance.
To conclude—To what purpose," an inconsiderate
tho' well-intentioned friend, has said, and others as
thoughtless, may say,
you attempt to write down
the use of ardent drink? Notwithstanding all you have
said, or may say, people will continue to drink as
usual.” In the first place, I answer, I am not sure of
that-and in the next place, I am sure, that if they will
continue to use spirituous liquor as a daily table drink,
and give and receive it as the token of friendship and
good will, thereby associating the vice of drinking with
the virtue of hospitality—if they will accustom their
children to the use, or witness the use of ardent drink,
and rear them in idleness and extravagance, with the
mistaken idea of thus making them ladies and gentle-
men-if they will continue to “have wine in their
(public) feasts,” and license taverns by thousands, and
create a thousand temptations to frequent them if
they will persist in the practice of giving strong drink
to the working class of society, and thereby contri-
bute to degrade their character, and bring useful indus-
try into contempt-if they will continue to cele-
brate their anniversaries by a course of unrestrained
intemperance-then, I again repeat, I am sure, that
notwithstanding all their professions of patriotism,
morality, philanthropy and religion, they cannot
escape the imputation of loving ardent spirits more
than the work of reformation : and moreover, can-
not avert, and will merit all the ills which are flow-
ing, and must continue to flow, from the demoral-
izing influence of intoxicating drink. Intemper-
arce, the reigning sin of the nation, will go on “in-
6 do

[ 51 ]
creasing to increase,” till immorality, spreading far
and wide, shall debase the people, corrupt their ru-
lers, and destroy the liberties of our country. Then
dark illimited despotism, with its genial concomi-
tants, blind superstition, weak-minded bigotry, and
black hearted fanaticism; while forging the chains,
preparing the wheel, and igniting the faggots of un-
holy and merciless persecution, will rear its head,
and impiously exult in the downfal of the only go-
vernment on earth, the existence of which, is not a
reproach to the common sense of mankind.
New-York, January, 1819.
POSTSCRIPT.
Since writing the foregoing, the three subjoined communi-
cations have appeared in the newspapers, and fallen under my
observation. The first, headed “ Cause of Crime," originally
appeared in the London Ledger, from which it was copied into
one or more of the American prints. I am induced to republish
it here, because the reasoning and opinions of the author, as far
as they go, correspond with my own--and because it corroborates,
by the developement of important facts, my statements in regard
to the error of taxing the cause of crime. The British govern-
ment derive an income from the distillation and use of ardent
spirits, and hence, cannot be induced to adopt counteracting
measures, through fear of injuring the revenue ; thereby shew-
ing, that in the view of the government, the interests of the
Treasury are deemed paramount to the cause of morality and
reformation.

[ 52
]
But I have another reason for inserting it here, which applies
as well to the third as the first of the annexed communications.
There is a disposition, doubtless arising from national jealousy,
manifested by a tribe of narrow-minded and mortified political
and other writers in England, to under-rate the virtues, and
mag-
nify the vices of the American people; and to distort and dis-
color every circumstance connected with the prosperity of this
country, to subserve their own illiberal and mercenary purposes.
Among other matters, some of them have undertaken to speak
of intemperate drinking in this country, with as much impudence
and exultation as if that vice was not common to both nations.
Our venerable fellow-citizen, ex-president Adams, is of opinion,
and he may be correct, that “the Americans exceed all other
eight millions of people on the Globe, in the vice of intemper-
ance. .” Yet it makes strongly against the accuracy of that opin-
ion, when we are told, thro' the medium of a London paper, that
6s at a late party of 100 select friends, at the west (or court) end
of the town, it was observed, that at least a score of the fair sex
retired from the rooms," not quite sober. Such a spectacle has
never been witnessed in this country, in any but the lowest class
of society; and I should hope, for the credit of his fair country.
women, the author of the above statement has indulged his
communicative talent at the expense of his veracity. But, how
are we to estimate the taste and sobriety of a people, by whom
the knowledge of the manner in which their Sovereign mixes his
liquors, is deemed a valuable acquisition—a matter of so much
consequence, and so well worthy of note, as to become the sub-
ject of communication in their public journals--and when the
effects of this legitimate combination of the causes of vice and
immorality, are spoken of in a strain of more than implied com-
mendation? “By the politeness of a gentleman,” says a Lon-
don paper, “who figures high in the upper circles of fashion, we
are enabled to present our readers with the following valuable
receipt for making, or mixing, this truly nectareous beverage.”-
« As a proof of its superior merits, the ladies are said to be re-
markably fond of it.” “Half a dozen tumblers of it, will put a
gentleman in high spirits, and make him (and the ladies too, it
would seem) ripe for sport of any sort !!"
When such examples are set at the fountain head of power and
fashion, and promulged to the nation with an air of gratulation,

L 53 1
and their debasing effects lauded in such unqualified terms--is it
not reasonable to conclude, that if the people of England are
not more intemperate than Americans, it is only because ardent
spirits cannot be procured with the same facility by the former
as the latter. It has been remarked, that when Englishmen,
particularly those of the middling and lower classes, come to this
country, they fall victims to intemperate drinking in much less
time than Americans do. The reason of this is, that the intem-
perate habit is acquired before they come here; but having been
stinted in the means of its full gratification, they seem, on their
arrival, to give loose to their habit, and its excess appears to be in-
creased with a rapidity proportioned to the increased facility by
which ardent spirits are procured. What consummate assurance,
for British writers to impeach Americans on the score of intem-
perate drinking! I would advise them, when they may again
be disposed to scribble on that subject, that all our Presidents
have been sober men ; and that we fear not a comparison in point
of temperance, of our legislators, judges, clergy, and upper classes
of citizens, with the corresponding classes in the British nation.
The letter from Mr. Adams to Mr. Willis, I subjoin, as an es-
timable piece of testimony against the vice of which I have been
speaking. Coming from a man, whose opinions will doubtless
have an influence with many of his fellow-citizens in the upper
walks of society, it will tend to aid the cause for which I have
been contending. By the publication of that letter, and the
«VALUABLE RECEIPT” for making “ ROYAL NEC-
TAR,” or the “ PRINCE REGENT'S PUNCH," in one of
the American papers, exactly in the order I have placed them
here, it seems as if the Editor intended to exhibit a contrast of
character in no wise flattering to the reigning monarch of the
British nation. Be that as it may, the reader, after perusing the
papers, can make his own reflections.
From the London Ledger.
CAUSE OF CRIME.
In all the inquiries that have been made into the state of crimi-
nality in this country, it has been uniformly found that habits of
drinking have been either the primary, or the occasional cause.

[ 54. 1
In all the trials at the Old Bailey, the first evidence given is the
visit to the public house, and the quantity of gin drank by the
parties. All the rest follows of course, and the hardihood or
barbarity displayed in the commission of the crime, is clearly
traced to the use of ardent spirits.
But it is not new to complain of this mischief, this national
cause of crime. In 1732 or 1733, when distilled liquors were
comparatively little known, they were stiled the “bane of the
nation," and Parliament interfered to keep them as much as pos-
sible from the hands of the lower classes. In about ten years,
however, that law was so modified, and in part repealed, that the
same facilities were given, as the public now enjoy, and what
was then foretold, has come to pass.
We are all now convinced of the evil, and we know the reme-
dy; but we dare not propose it-for if we attempted such a pro-
position, we shall be immediately told of the vast revenue arising
from spirits, and of the vast number of persons who get their
bread by making or selling them. Doubtless, sir, to annibilate
the manufacture of spirits, would now be a great evil. But here
is the mischief. It would not have been a great evil once-
-it
would not have been a great evil, if the arguments with which
the Senate and Pulpit resounded at the period above-mentioned
had been listened to. It would have been an evil of compara-
tively very slight extent. But now, I am willing to allow, it
would be, in a financial view, a very great evil; and, if to be
brought about at all, ought to be brought about very gradually-
and with as little risk of individual loss as possible.
Still let us not despair. Let us not shut our eyes to the mi-
series occasioned by the excessive use of ardent spirits, nor be so
far deluded as to look for any cause, while this most obvious one
exists. Our prison reformers very properly recommend that
nothing of the kind should be admitted into prisons. This is an
open acknowledgment of the fact I have stated. But would not
much more good be done, and the labors of these reformers be
much shortened, if the prohibition extended to those out of jail,
as well as those in it?
LONDINENSIS.
N. B.--I observe that it is recommended to apothecaries to
put upon certain medicine a label with the word "poison" on it.
Would it not be equally salutary to write poison upon every bottle
of gin in a public house?

[ 55
]
Another writer on the “Cause of Pauperism," says, " you
boast of having laws and a constitution to make men happy, and
yet you suffer a great calamity to exist, which is the heart of all
miseries. You hang a man for stealing a sheep, yet you consi-
der it an encroachment on liberty to prevent the means of his
becoming a thief. England wants only sobriety to make her
an example to every nation on earth; but, alas! to speak the
honest truth, she is now pointed at as the drunken nation, and I
may add, the swearing nation, which is a natural consequence of
inebriety; as men, when flushed with liquor, are urged to a viola-
tion of all decency. Thrice happy Scotland, where drunken-
ness is a rarity-common swearing never heard, and crime near-
ly unknown, so as to say, as appears from an observation in the
Morning Post, stating that there had not been an execution for
murder, in Glasgow, for twelve years, although the population of
the circuit exceeded 250,000 souls ! This happy state of things I
should impute more to the sobriety of the Scotch people, than
even to their religious instructions; for the most exact religious
establishment can do but little towards lessening crime, or pre-
serving morals, where the mass of people are debased by the use
of strong drink ! Surely, surely, sir! it cannot be said that bad
habits, fraught with ruin to man and society, should be licensed,
any more than the crimes which they produce.
Letter from the Honorable Mr. Adams.
QUINCY, February 21, 1819.
DEAR SIR-I thank you for your address to the New-Bedford
Auxiliary Society for the Suppression of Intemperance, which I
have read with pleasure and edification. It abounds in ingenuity
and information; it is elegant and pathetic; it is pious and vir-
tuous; it addresses itself to the understanding and the heart.
A drunkard is the most selfish being in the universe. He has
no sense of modesty, shame or disgrace. He has no sense of
duty, or sympathy of affection with his father or mother, his bro-
ther or sister, his friend or neighbour, his wife or children; no
reverence for his God; no sense of futurity in this world or the
other--all is swallowed up in the mad, selfish joy of the moment.

[ 56 ]
Is it not humiliating, that Mahometans and Hindoos should
put to shame the whole Christian world, by their superior ex-
amples of temperance? Is it not degrading to Englishmen and
Americans, that they are so infinitely exceeded by the French
in this cardinal virtue? And is it not mortifying beyond all ex-
pression, that we Americans should exceed all other eight mil-
lions of people on the globe, as I verily believe we do, in this
degrading, beastly vice of intemperance.
I am, Sir, your obliged friend and humble servant,
JOHN ADAMS.
WILLIAM WILLIS, Esquire.
Royal Nectar, or the Prince Regent's Punch.
By the politeness of a gentleman, who (says a Lendon paper)
figures high in the upper circles of fashion, we are enabled to
present our readers with the following valuable receipt for ma-
king, or mixing, this truly nectareous beverage :- Take 4 bottles
of Champayne, 1 bottle of Hock, 1 bottle of Curracoa, 1 quart
of brandy, 1 quart of rum, 2 bottles of Madeira, and 2 bottles of
Seltzer water, with 4 lbs. of bloom raisins, and quant. suf. of Se-
ville oranges, lemons, and white sugar candy. Instead of water,
bring this mixture to a proper state and consistence with the
finest green tea-The whole to be highly iced.
N. B.-Half a dozen tumblers of this legitimate liquor will
put a gentleman in high spirits, and make him “ripe for sport of
As a proof of its superior merits, the ladies are said
to be remarkably fond of it. At a late party of only 100 select
friends, at the west end of the town, it was observed, that at least
a score of the fair sex left the rooms with more than one drop
in their eye."
any sort."
1879
cole & ok