universally used as a table drink, he proceeds, "Such being the
practice, the parents of a family must, of necessity, adopt one
of the two following measures:--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 presence, 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
circumstances, how vain is it to hope that children will not acquire
the habit of intemperance--and how weak is it to wonder at their
becoming drunkards! Parents can hardly 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
counteracting their influence. How ridiculous is it 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 drunkards; 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 medium _universally
adopted by society for manifesting friendship and good will, one
to another_. It need only to be mentioned to be admitted, that it
is the common 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 richness and profusion
add to the other temptations to drink. Not to offer them would be
deemed unfriendly, 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 accepted
_in the spirit_ in which it is offered. In this way do the laws of
_fashion_ and _custom constrain people to 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, sentiments 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 beverage, 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 rudiments
of intemperance are taught; the first examples set, and the first
essays at tippling attempted. The practice is continued by the
frequent display of hospitality 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 occasions--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."
No doubt it is in the opulent that many of the vices of society
originate. Their weaknesses and errors are palliated; their example
imitated and their indulgences eagerly craved by the poor. While
therefore, the general practice of using ardent spirit continues
among them, our author reasons that the popular remedy of curtailing
the number of grog-shops, though it would lessen the _practice_
would not _destroy_ the habit of intemperance. Should there
remain a solitary place where liquor can be procured, the sin of
intemperance will continue to be committed, and its associate vices
and immorality entailed on society.
"What!" says he, "it may be asked by the reader, are we required 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, because others become _intemperate_? Are we to
be interdicted the _moderate_ use of them, because others drink to
excess and get drunk? As well say the querists, might it be expected
that we should extract our tongues, because others back-bite their
neighbours!
"In the first place, permit me to remark, that I have not uttered a
word against the _moderate_ or _reasonable_ 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_,
_necessary_, 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 animal spirits above the healthy standard.
This is _unnecessary_--and inasmuch as it creates a deviation
from a state of real health, it produces _disease_, and hence
its use is _immoderate_, _intemperate_. 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 intemperance _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 initiated, is termed
_moderate_. And every degree of excitement, from _moderately merry_
to _moderately drunk_, is honoured with the same name. The real
truth is, it is a poor apology for a bad practice; and a _moderate_
degree of reflection would lead those not slaves to the habit, to
view it in that light."
"I have the authority of distinguished physicians for remarking,
that next to _intemperate eating_, intemperate _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 labouring class, _procrastinates_, while
the want of exercise tends to _facilitate_ the fatal effects of
intemperance in the other class of society--and hence it is, that
the _moderate drinking_, as it is modestly termed, of the _latter_,
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 observation, is, that when people
who are not reputed drunkards, 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."
"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 weather is warm_--at another,
_because it is cold_. It is drank with enemies "to _reconcile
them_"--with friends, "_because they don't meet every day_"--on
all festive, anniversary and other holydays, "_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
_excusable_, "_because they 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, though
it may have been regularly prescribed for medical purposes, and
may have cured the disorder, it has finally killed the patient. It
is doubtless for this reason, that distinguished gentlemen of the
faculty have admitted, that the internal use of ardent liquor, even
in cases in which it is indicated 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 deleterious quality than any it naturally
possessed. This _qualifying_ of the water, has been the means of
_disqualifying_ many a valuable man, for nearly every purpose,
except to bring disgrace, ruin, and misery on himself, his family
and connexions."
"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
greatest collection of people, tends rather to produce tumult and
confusion, than to preserve good order. These 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 immediate 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 officers, vested with power to
muster any corps of militia, in the country towns, for the ordinary
purposes of exercise or inspection, be bound by law to locate the
parade ground at least a mile from any tavern or retail grocery. The
carrying of ardent liquor to the rendezvous, 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 ardent drink,
being as usual permitted, all the reasonable conveniences 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.
"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, though 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 beggarly 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 place elsewhere for the purpose. The practice of holding
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 productive of evil, and, perhaps, are more
difficult to be obviated.
"The holding of auction sales at taverns, as is frequently the case
in the country, is pregnant with mischief sufficient to justify
legislative interposition.--Those who have witnessed, can best
describe them--I only know them by description. On these 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 consequent 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 outlines of the
picture, which those who have seen the original, are best qualified
to fill up with neglect of _domestic concerns_--_horse-racing_ and
_jockeying_--_profane swearing_--_drunkenness_--_quarrelling_, and
sometimes _fighting_, and a variety of other _amusements_, not
unusual on such occasions.
"The lamentable consequences of holding the polls of our political
elections at public houses, are too generally known to require
particular description. Suffice it to say, that the noise and
tumult--the heated, irritating and useless discussions which
frequently occur, and which go to impair the respectability of the
electors, and the credit of the elective franchise, are oftner the
result of the _spirit of liquor_ than the _spirit of patriotism_.
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 accrue
from its use on other occasions, would, in many instances, 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 election, as dangerous to the freedom of the elective
franchise, did not foresee and guard against the evils consequent 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 extravagant entertainments, on any
occasion, in honour of distinguished characters. This practice,
by leading many to taverns, and tempting them to indulge freely,
is productive 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 humour 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, accompanied with a medal, a piece of
plate, or other present, embellished with appropriate insignia and
inscriptions.--These would be lasting testimonials of character and
worth. Being always visible, they would act continually as a stimuli
to urge others to emulate the honourable 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 honoured guest could derive no great satisfaction in the
reflection, that his friends had _eaten_ and _drank immoderately_,
in _honour 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 useful--but that there are many which do
more hurt than good, is equally true. They ought, indeed, to be
productive of great benefit, to counterbalance the evil tendency
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 procure places at which
to hold their meetings.--This might easily be effected, unless too
strong a predeliction for tavern meetings should counteract so
reasonable a proposition."
"In the year 1740, Admiral Vernon commanded the British fleet in
the West Indies. His undress coat was made of _grogram_, a cloth
fabricated 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 afterwards, by way of shortening it, they called him
_Old Grog_. When ardent liquor was first given to sailors, and until
the time above-mentioned, it was drank _raw_--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 displeased 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, _because_ 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."
"On another occasion, I have mentioned, and will here repeat,
that the baleful practice of giving ardent liquor to labourers,
ought to be exploded. This custom has so powerfully aided other
causes of intemperance, that there is scarcely to be found among
the labouring class, any who do not drink, and drink too much. It
is unquestionably 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 perfect knowledge of their business. Here, too, we see a
powerful objection operating, to prevent many respectable 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 degrade the honourable calling
of mechanics, which suffers another depression from the necessity
which these circumstance create, of taking apprentices from the
lower circles of society, whose want of the requisite education
disqualifies them for attaining an adequate knowledge 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 gentlemen--and,
of course, reared in idleness and extravagance, or become
_professionable_ men or _merchants_.--Thus, by their conduct,
they give countenance to those whose weakness may dispose them to
undervalue mechanical occupations.
"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 honour the events they are intended to commemorate,
their observance, if not useful, would at least be innocent in
their consequences. But were we to judge their objects solely by
the manner in which they are kept, and the effects they produce,
we might be led to the erroneous conclusion, that they were
instituted to subserve the causes of vice and immorality. The
general suspension of useful employment on those days, is followed
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 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 funerals, 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 introduced, is
not, perhaps, so evident as the impropriety of its continuance.