The Washingtonian., 1845-06-28

Comni nging streams from pure tee-total springs."
For the Washingonian.
THREE ERAS IN THE LIFE OF A REFORMED
DRUNKARD.
BY WIN. MACDONNELL.


whom have been long separated, lately wrote
me an exceedingly interesting letter. For
some years had not heard directly from him
self, but could learn, from various sources, Of
the total prostration of his fine and manly
intellect, owing to excessive and degrading
intemperance. When the report first reached
me that my friend, who, for convenience,
shall call Edward, had "fallen from his high
estate" and had become habitual drunkard,
was incredulous-I could not believe it; but,
alas! the report was too well founded, and
thus his total and unaccountable silence, or
neglect of corresponding with me was account
ed for. We lived far apart from each other
for long period, and the struggle for existence
on my part, ultimately drove all thoughts OF
poor Edward from my mind. My surprise and
delight, therefore, may be easily guessed, on
receiving the letter above alluded to. 1t is
most interesting epistle, written in Edwards
usual enchanting style, abounding with all the
evidences of former intellectual vigor. 1t is
true sad and melancholy tone pervades the
whole, but this l take as an earnest of the
sincerity of his reformation; nor can doubt
that time, and health, and clear unclouded
mind, will, eventually, dispel the gloom now
brooding over the imagination of Edward.
The perusal of Edwards letter has given
rise in my mind to many serious reflections.
cannot avoid wondering, with Michael Cas-
sio in the play, "that man will put an enemy
into his mouth to steal away his brains,'
when / find the foul and insidious vice of
drunkenness lay hold Of and paralyze the facul-
ties Of one SO amiable, so good, and SO intel
lectual, as the subject Of these remarks. Over
and over again have | read this interesting
communication, in which the secrets of the
heart are laid open-in which nothing is sought
to be extenuated, but in which the gradual
process, mental and physical, Of acquiring in
temperate habits is detailed, with the utmost
truthfulness and sincerity. regret exceed
ingly that am not at liberty to give publicity
to this remarkable production. 1t contains
several passages of private nature, highly
interesting to myself but of no interest to third
parties. I shall, however, give brief outline
of the material contents, and perhaps passage
or two from the. original. If, on the perusal
of my labors in this respect, one mind, now
hurrying on to the drunkard's goal, should be
induced to pause, to reflect, and to retrace its
steps, then, indeed, shall feel myself amply
rewarded.
Having promised thus far, shall, before
proceeding further observe, that the life Of a
drunkard may, without any impropriety, be
divided into three Eras;;" the first embraces
the period from youth to manhood, during
which intemperate habits are seldom acquired;
the second, and the most dangerous period, is
that intervening between our entrance into
society as men, and the requirement Of fixed
habits, either good or bad the third, and last
period, embraces the balance of drunkards
life, during which, in nine cases out of ten,
meanness, depravity, and uncleanness Of body
and mind, strive collectively for the mastery
over the poor inebriate, and ultimately fling
him despised and unlamented into the grave.
Having thus divided the drunkard's life into
"Three Eras," shall now revert to the letter
of my friend. His past life affords an ad-
mirable illustration of those three periods.
Happy am to say, that his moral courage
has triumphed over the deadly foe, and that
he now stands unshackled, sadder, but a
better man, and memorable instance of the
blessings of temperance.
Edward Howard and I were schoolfellows
and from the moment our school acquaintance
commenced, we became fast friends and con.
slant companions; he was a mild and thought.
full boy, yet always cheerful and good -humored
While at school he left all his competitors al
behind, without any apparent effort, in all the
branches of classical and mathematical edu.
cation: the bent Of his mind seemed to be-
indeed, it decidedly was-towards modern
literature, particularly the glorious literature
ofSpain and Italy. confess am not mysel
competent to appreciate the beauties of Span
sh romance or Italian poetry, but as Edward
grew up, I can well recoect the glowing
enthusiasm of the student on the subject
When approaching his twentieth year was
much in his society, and in our long and soil.
tary rambes through the "green lanes about
our native village, the most brilliant passage.
of the Gierusaleme Liberata,' of Tasso tn,