Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-03-03
From the n Y Morning Dispatch.
OUT OF DATE.
BY II. HASTINGS WELD.

Looking over the papers during the week,
we recollect seeing in some one OF them a
labored eulogium on drinking song which
the editor designates with the classic name of
an Anacreontic We believe that word is
Greek for getting drunk and other unseemy
and monument practices and we suppose
that in the opinion Of the learned, he who an
acreonizes himself into delirium tremens, is a
great deal better citizen than the man who
bathes his soul in whiskey till he brings on
what in the vernacular is called the horrors.
1t is vastly mole moral, genteel and proper,
to travel TO perdition with Apollo's wreath a
bout the brow, and in company with those rev.
cfend topers, Bacchus and Silenus, than to get
drunk under hat with a hole in the rim, and
in the society OF rum conveys and companions.
"There are differences, look YOU" and we
suppose these must be conceded as among
them. For our own part, however, If a man
becomes unfit for business and social relations
"A poor husband, bad father, bad citizen,
and all from I" being nobody's enemy but his
own" it makes little difference, that we can
see in what way he arrives at a result so mel
ancholy.
The prostitution of poetry and music to the
ruin of its devotees has gone far enough. The
sentiment of the age is no longer tolerant to-
wards decking skeleton with such false or
naments a conceal its frghtful character
| The world is tired of seeing the mouth of a
CHASTITY pit covered and concealed with those
leaves, to tempt the unwary to plunge into
moral death. Beautiful poetry, words well
colocated, and fifty chosen for their harmony,
images luxuriaht in beauty, and the very spit
| it of living music over all, cannot excuse a lit
erary trie, however elegant, the moral Of
which is that it is not only strictly proper, but
highly commendable II 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 ancents, it is not
to be wondered that a portion of their litera-
| ture abounds in the laudation OF such praciic-
cs but az the modern code OF morals recog-
nizes no such imperative duties, 1t Is to be
wondered that the attainment of what is called
liberal education makes it necessary to i'm
bibe loose morality.
Carloads of missiles have been hurled at
the poor common inebriate, who dares TO drink
plcbian liquors while the fountain or dissipa-
tor at which the learned and the polite have
been christened, is sacred from the rude
breath of inveciive. The root of the evil is
left untouched and uninterrupted. The litera-
ry institutions of this and other Christian coun-
tries, have manufactured more confirmed
drunkards than any other causes have created.
How often do we meet under the most dis
gushing garb Of blackguardism and filth, with
the wreck of a fire mind, and the shreds of an
{ education, which might have given the degra-
ded possessor high standing among his fell
lows had he not chosen rather, his place a
mong the swine.
We recollect meeting at an obscure tavern
/ in the country, last summer, an apropos ex'
, ample in proof OF these remarks. Chance LED
US there to make some inquiry about the road
and we found the bar room solely occupied
by an unshaven and unkempt loafer, who was
reading an old newspaper; the latest date, by
, the way, that had been received in that forgot
ten nook. lie was a perfect personiica,ior
Of William Barow-ragged and filthy. As
there was no other person TO whom 10 address
e ourseli, we put n question TO him, which h'
answered very courteously-a Beau Nash n
= taueis. Having thus commenced converse
ton for our own purposes, we could not re
- fuse to continue it for his qualification. A few
moments served to surprise US at the extent o
! his erndilion, the beauty Of his language, TN
wilderness of his acquaintance with the curren
topics Of news and politics, and the soundnes
of his comments, and the per;inence OF his in
quiries. We were beguilcd into half an hour
u conversation with him. IL was admiration o
y a treasure upon dung-heap. We forgot hi!
! rags and his unscemly exterior, and lost sigh
Of all but the treasures of his mind. A spell
q was on us, which was not NtspCltu uilllli up
on the entrance of the landlord, he stoppe'
> short in a discussion upon German li,eraiur
5 10 make coarse indication Of his desire 70
- the ardent lie had spoke Of the nectar of o
n lynpus, talked Of the sunny Rhine and its rcl
yin,ages, blended poetry and the grape-and
at the end of all, this Anacreon in paiche
breeches, which mightto advantage have bee
u patched more, wanied-iehiskey.
u Curiosity led us 10 ascertain his history, 4
. trare the steps through which he had recedet
e from the good position he must once have held
: down 90 the kennel. We found that he wa
u the son Of parents who had beggared them
=, selves TO give their child an education whic
might fiji him for any station TO which the an
bition Of parents for their child could reach
> lie was a graduate Of the Oldest and proude;
&c college in The United States. His educaiiO
was completed by the requirement OF the thee
~ ~ Of a profession; and he commenced III
~ practice Of die law in one OF our largest CIT e.
a Fortune smiled upon him 10 The hour OF h
:, marriage with a beautiful and accompllshe
- woman. Popular favor threw clients IN h
- way by scores, aud even gave him Poll'ic'
preiermeni He was the life OF the circle
which he moved. the ready wi, at public dii
he ners-the selected orator upon public DAVIS
r the occasional poet-and, M word The POI
al ular idol. II he even neglected his clients
. was al first well enough-any thing was borf
o. with, IN 30 universal favoflte. HIS path ia
apparently upon flowers.