Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-09-20

From the Temperance Recorder.
BIOGRAPHY OF A DRUNKARD &
Ills FIVE SONS.

II Ills FIVE SONS.
As the lives and actions OF good men
are recorded and published alter their
death for the benefit Of those who come
after them, so it is proper and right that
the lives and actions OF bad men should
be given TO contemporaries and to poster r.
ity, as warnings to deter from similar er-
rors and similar follies. In the latter
case, it is true, the feeling Of family
friends may be wounded; but public good
requires that they should sacrifice private
sensiblities; for in many, if not in all
cases, this is the only reparation which
society can have for the injury which it
has suffered. And for any to be iasti-
dious in this matter, argues unlavorably
in regard to that spirit Of benevolence
which is ever the distinguishing charac-
teristic Of true patriotism, genuine phi
lanthropy, or devoted piety. v hen a
man dies, be he good or bad, his habits
Of life, and the example he has given,
are public property; and common justice
requires that society should avail itself
of them, to excite or to deter, as the ex-
ample has been vinuous or vicious.
Nor is this treading upon the ashes Of
the dead with unhallowed feet, as some
may perhaps be inclined to think. No
praise or blame can injurc them, but it
may benefit the living; and it is in this
way that those who have finished their
probationary scene, yet speak, though
they are dead; and in this way too, they
may do more good than they ever did in
the course Of a long life.
These remarks have been made, not to
justify the subsequent detail of facts, but
to show the reason why they are given
to the world; and it is not out Of place to
say, that theories, in any case, arc ofve-
ry little value, unless they come sub
stantiated by facts; and thus supported,
they acquire a moral force which is ir-
resistible.
In a certain town in one Of the north
ern states, till within few months
past, lived man whom will call Mer-
curios. He was for many years u mer-
chant, and acquired by trade very
handsome property; and as did most mcr-
chants in former days, he trafliced in ar
dent spirit. Mercurios was very irasci-
bic in his disposition; flying into pas
sion even on the most trivial occasions;
and when his passions were excited, his
rage was like the rage of a tiger, and
threatened death to every living thing
within his reach.
Mercurios was husband and faith
'er; but his family was not the abode Of
peace. Often it seemed that the demon
of discord had there taken up her abode,
and there let loose all her furles; and
while the wre tched family had as yet not
separated from the pa,crnal fresidc, it
was uncommon for any one to enter that
dwelling and not witness broils, conten-
Itions and tears.
Mercurios was scofer at religion, n
sabbath-breaker, swearcr, and to sum
up all in one short word, he was SOT.
One who is competent to testify, has de-
clared, that for man who pretended to
transact regular business, he was the
most perfect sot he ever saw. There
are some such instances, but they are
seldom found; and when they do occur,
theySonly serve to mark the height from
which the guilty man has fallen-they
evince that
"Wth the talents Of an angel, man may be a
fool"
] said Mercurios was father-happy
would it have been had he remained
childless-happy for several of his sons
had they never been born.
The family of Mercurios consisted of
seven sons and three daughters. Two,
VI me sons died in childhood-of the
daug hters il may be said they are orna-I
mcnts to society. Five sons trod in the
footsteps of their father, and even excel
led him in vileness.
The eldest, J. became a merchant,
and after spreading around him a physi-I
cal and moral desolation, lay down in a
drunkard's grave before he had reached
the MONDAY Of life.
The second son, II. was also mcr-
chant, and followed closely the exam
pie Of his father and elder brother. He
pursued his business for short time, was
convicted Of an infamous crime, suffered
Imprisonment for number Of years, was
at length liberated, and when last heard
Of was wretched, loathsome, mendicant
drunkard in one Of the southern cities.
The third son, A. was also merchant.
But he excelled his teachers in crime
When yet a lad, whole school has
been compelled to flee before him, to a
void his rage; and often, too, has he
been obliged to flee to escape the fury
of his father. On two occasions he leap
ed from the chamber window to avoid
The death which was threatened. lie
married lovely woman, and became the
father Of two lovely sons. But his house,