Litchfield enquirer., 1840-05-21
FroHn the NeaD York Despatch,
0IJT OF DATE

OC OE LA lE.
Looking over the papers during the weck,
we recollect seeing in one of them a labored
eulogium on drinking song, which the edit
or designates with the classic name of an
Anacreontic. We believe that word is
Greek for getting drunk, and other unseemly
and incontinent practices; and we suppose
that in the opinion of the learned, he who
anacreOnizes himself into delirium tremenS,
is great deal better citizen than the man
who bathcs his soul in whiskey till he brings
! on what in the vernacular is called the hor-
rors. 1t is vastly more moral, genteel, and
proper 10 travel to perditon with Apollo'S
wreath about the brow, and in company with
those reverend topers, Bacchus and Silenus,
that to get drunk under hat with hole in
the rim, and in the society Of rum cowys
and companions. "Therc are differences,
| look you," and we suppose these must be
| conceded as among them. For our own
part, however, if man becomes unfit for his
business and social relations-a poor hus-
banda bad father--a bad citizen-and all
| from "being nobody's enemy but his own,'
| 1t makes little difference, that we can see, in
| what way he arrives at result SO melan-
choly.
| Tho prostitution of poetry and music to
the ruin of its votaries has gone far enough.
The sentiment Of the age is no longer tole-
rant towards decking n skeleton with such
false ornaments as conceal its frightful char.
acter. The world is tired of seeing the
mouth of ghastly pit covered and conceal
ed with rose leaves to tempt the unwary to
the plunge into moral death. Beautiful po-
etry, words we'll collected, and fifty chosen
for their harmony, images luxuriant in beau.
ty, and the very spirit of living music, over
all, cannot excuse a literary trifie, however
elegant, the moral of which is that it is not
ony strictly proper but highly commendable
| to drown reason in wine, and sink the man
in the helpless brute. AS these Interesting
pursuits formed part of the worship of the
much lauded ancients, it is not to be won.
dered at that portion OF their literature
abounds in the 1audation of such practices );
but as the modern code of morals recognizes
no such imperative duties, it is to be won
dered that the attainment Of what is called
liberal education makes it necessary to i'm.
bibo loose morality. IL"
Carloads of missiles have been hurled at
the poor common inebriate, who dares to
drink plebian liquors, while the fountain of
dissipation at which the learned and the po-
lite have been cherished, is sacred from the
rude breath of invective. The root of the
evil is left untouched and unattempted.--
The literary institutions of this and other
christian countries have manufactured more
confirmed drunkards than any other causes
have created. How often do we meet, I'M
der the most disgusting garb of blackguard-
ism and filth, with the wreck of q fine mind,
and the shreds of an education, which might
have given the degraded posscssor high
stand among his fellows, had he not chosen,
rather, his place among the swine. asr
We recollect meeting at en- obscure tav.
ern in the country, last Summer, an appro-
pos example in proof Of these remarks.-
Chance led US there TO mako some inquiry
| about the road, and we found the bar room
solely occupied by an unshaved and unkept
loafer, who was reading an old newspaper
the latest date by the way, that had been re-
ceived in that forgotten nook. He was u
perfect personificalion of William Barlow
ragged and filthy. As there was no ether
person to whom to address ourself, we put a
question to him, which he answered very
courteously-a Beau Nash in tatters. EIav-
| ing thus commenced conversation for our
own purposes, we could not refuse to cOntin-
NC it for his qualification. A few moments
served to surprise US at the extent of his cru
dition, the beauty of his language, the will
derness of his acquaintance with the current
topics of news and politics, the soundness Of
his comments, and the pertnence of his in
quiries. ct
We were beguiIed into haitian hours con.
verse with him. 1t was admiration OF
treasure upon dung heap. We forgot his
rags and his unseemly exterior; and lost
sight Of all but the treasures of his mind. A
spell was on US which was not dispellcd I'M
til, upon the entrance of the landlord, he
stopped short in discussion upon German
literature to make some coarse indication OF
his desire for the ardent. He had spoken Of
the nectar of Olympus, talked of the sunny
! - ,ss,kn InI nfrVy
and the grape-and mt the end OF all, this
Anacreon in patched breeches, which might
to advantage have been patched more, want
ed-,chiskey. Da
| Curiosity led as to ascertain his history,
to trace the steps through which no had re-
coded from the good position he must once
have held, down to the kennel. We found
that he was the son of parents who had beg
CARED themselves to give their child an edu-
cation which might fit him for any station
to which the ambition Of parents for their
child could reach He was graduate OF
the Oldest and proudest college in the United
States. His education was completed by the
requirement Of the theory of profession
and he commenced the practice OF the law
in one of our largest cities. Fortune smil-
ed upon him to the hour of his marriage with
beautiful and accomplished woman. Pop
ular favor threw clients in his way by scores,
and even gave him political preferments.-
He was the life of the circle in which he
moved, the ready wit at public dinners-the
selected orator on public days-the occa.
sional poct-and in a word, the popular idol.
II he even neglected his clients, it was at first
well enough; any thing was borne with, in
so universal favoriic. His path lay appa.
rently among flowers.
Patience will not last forever. Client at.
ter client dropped off; compelled to do so,
from inability 10 persuade attention to their
business on the part of him to whom they
had entrusted H. Other and more weiphty