Part 3

"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 sideboards and wine-cellars of private houses, prove the truth of this position. The landlords of those establishments would take it in dudgeon, to be told that their customers were of the lowest grade of society; and the proprietors of well stored sideboards 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 propriety be regarded as a national sin. The character and habits of that class of the community can never alone constitute national character. Admitting, therefore, 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 habit 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."

"The radical sources of the evil" says judge Herttell, "are _in the fashions, customs, and examples, of what are called the upper or wealthy classes of the community_."

After remarking the common practice that intoxicating liquors are 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.