Spirit of the age., 1853-05-11
he Turning ? OiRt

- Z 1 III IL OlHts
- remember the time when in almost
every ,snionable drawing room, there stood
. bearfss carved mahogany SIDE board, on
the top vFhich stood group Of cut-glass
-ssecantefs 90 or partially 6llrd, with choice
liquors and 1alned in With clear, shining
sscnrgIassts2
Do .yon reinember, too, how, when company
came n. the little stenl-giasses were turned
up, aad the ladies' and oenilemsa drank com.
pllmeRss and healths. and how we children
sEess asD'ss.d "a !. t4ste and TIE PrixiItf.e Of
eating the sugar left IN the bottom Of the gIas-
ses! And DO you remember how very ungen-
seel and puritanicai,a lady was considered,
who dared, IN the iaeeo universal custom, to
have party and not &cofate her t,hle with
wines and brandy, and her paflors with card
tables and all the requisites Of polite gamingi
If you do not, thank God that you escaped
that day; but ifyou do remember these things
as connected with your youth, you will perh1ps
better appreciate my story.
Henry Irwin was a native of eastern, Vir.
ginia. His only inheritance-a warm heart.
medium intellect sociable nature, fine per.
sonal appearance and liberal share of that
peculiar feeling generally conceded as expo
renced by Mole but descendants from ths
trSt families OF the old domain
AT the age Of twenty-foar he left his native
State, and in the fall OF 1929, engaged as sales.
man in the largest dry goods house in P,
Rourishing town on the Ohio River. Having
acquired a liberal education, a cultivated taste
and gentlemanly department, he soon became
| favorite in the social circle
Although possessed of some of the private
and social virtues of human nature, Irving was
not free from its vices he loved the wine-cup
Z yyFv = frRsN x n.m1.h-
hensible as now. Custom, the great sanetion-
er Of human error, at that day recognized
these as the bonds of fraternal brotherhood;
and public sentiment had not vet elevated the
STANDARD Of social morality dbope them ; con-
sequeatlY, Irving's fondness for these vicious
pleasures, instead cooperating against his pop
! ulafity served as an introduction to the high
est circles.
His companions were Of that wild, reckless,
whole souled, pleasure-seeking class Of young
men ~ho throw care to the dogs, and with
mirth wit and jolity, drift smoothly, yet rap
/ idly down that stream, whose source is crowned
with choicest flowers and perfumes Of sensual
pleasures, and. with dark and wailing surge;
psungeS into eternity. HIS most intimate and
confidential friend was John Hawkins young
lawyer OF promising talent and pleasing ad-
| dress. but destitute OF correct moral principle
was an avowed in6del, and entertained what
he considered a manly contempt for virtue and
piety. WIS fond of whist, euchre and good
brandy, and was witha what the world de-
nominated clever fellow
II was about year. l think after Irving
came to P, that Emma Carson returned
from Phiadelpha, where size had been sent
to complete her educa;ion-one too that had
we'll developed her natural strength of mind !;
she now stood ready to make her debut witk
credit alike to herself her teachers and friends
With fine form, expressive features, a culti-
waited mind and most hewitching haze eve,
it was not strange that Emma soon became the
envy and admiration Of society, nor that Irving;
before m.ny. months, paid frequent visits to
Mr. Caison's.
An intimacy was formed, which, on Ir.
t Wings part soon ripened into strong attach
mont. Emma was made conscious of the fact
:, by his marked attentions, and hints thrown
q out by some Of her friends it was to her
under the circumstances, a source of deep re
? gret. She he'd treated him with etiquettC
and kindness, received his visits in a courte
Q Gus, friendly manner, but nothing more, anC
however much she might admire his conver
!, sationaI powers and agreeable manners, a re-
cent knowledge Of his general character would
u prevent her from desiring to encourage hii
= w-bOrn feelings. What conrse should sht
y pursue It was not long until she and Irving
7 met at party. Irving escorted her to tbs
tables and requested the pleasure Of drinking
!. q glass of wine with her. She politely, vel
firmly declined. irving insisted onthe ground
of custom and friendship.
Neither custom or friendship, Mr.. Irving
9 has the right to demand sacrifice of princi
!. ple,' said Emma, and / should deem myself
a unworthy the name Of woman or friend should
| grant such request, and lure you on tC
utter ruin Of body and SOUL
i Why, Miss Carson, l am really surprised
= to hear you speak with so much earnestnes,
Is in this matter, and more especially at what
q must consider an unnecessary reflection
Mr.. Irving any young man who indulge
in ardent spirits even to moderate degree
q and that restricted to the fashionable circle
?, is, in my opinion, in danger Of ruin and
z, assure you ! win never knowingly, directI-
i or indirectly countenance the evil /; and fur
A. thermore, no one, especially young man
- whose habits are not confirmed, can retail
my esteem and his wine.'
But instances can be adduced in whic
k your rigid discipline has defeated It's own en-
% BY driving to desparation.'
Granted, that there are such isolated ca
= ; ses, what do they prOve-the evils of an illit
le eral morality, or the reckless dcpravity Of th
er human heart? 1t is on such occasions as th
of present, that vice too often receives the al
Id proving smile Of wealth. fashion and influences
at and virtue her deepest wounds
n Miss Carson, / fear you place more sire:
- on the influence of your sex than the subjet
-. ~ viii justly warrant
u! Not all, sir. Tell me, if any of the pre-
Y, ent company of young men shall be laid
drunkards grave, to whose influence ma
j. it in reason be attributed VIII you tell n
the influence Of her who fills his glass to-nigI
ne viii not add weight and speed TO his descent
be Irving and Emma were standing aps
in from the company. Their conversation b
he ing in low tone of voice, was not overheal
on among the general confusion Of tongues al
II dishes.
=. couple of ladies passed over to them ar
us chided them for being unsociabIe. Irving b,
iaI sat the wine unt.lsted on the WindoW-seat whi
nj one Of the ladies observing, inquired why the
lk- glasses were not empty. Irving laughingly
marked that he had just discovered Miss ca
son had conscientious scrupes, when one sal
Gg wait till get another glass, and Kate and
ay, will drink with ysu.
the The glass Was brought. and the three dra