Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-02-25
Smoking and Drinking

AAbCtCSlcu Nv To1OlnU
an able article under this head, published in
the "fa1for Magazine for January, by the
lamented Prof. j. Crawford. The article
was elected from the pen of the gifted Au-
tnor, after reading a paper in a late number
OF b'aesaoood, bearing the same title. After
a orief notice of the views taken by the
writer IN Blackwood. Prof. J. proceeds to
ADVANCE his oWn views on a department. of
the subject which that writer had either
overlooked, or had not time or room to dis
euss' VIZ: the discovery of what has pro-
ouced and fostered the vice. of intemperance.
ana the most important primary cause, he
thinks, is to be found Gin the desire to ALE
waite pain Of body, or to assuage mental
anguish"
Hen 90 not reflect on consequences, saws
Prof. C.-they rush at any thing which will
give temporary or immediate relief, and
hence the resort to alcoholic stimulants.-
The delusive notions which have so long
prevailed as to the beneficial influence of
these stimulants, have most naturally con-
Friouted to their universal use. The men
VINO had for ages the regulation Of public
opinion, the Poets and Essayists of the world.
were very often men who lived in slavery to
their own passions, and did not fail to idolize
and Halter the gods they served hence The
amrms) the delusive notions set forth in the
works of popular writers, have been enc of
the strongest holds ~intemperance has ever
occupied"
Prof. Crawford then proceeds to instance
HORACE, ORD, the Odes of ANAcREoN, and all
the ancient Poets, whose writings abound
In glowing encomiums on wine and conyi-
Vitality, but who take especial care to avoid
presenting the reverse side of the picture
And in a comparison with modern writers,
we find no Improvement in this respect
GOLDSMITH, SO universally admired, supports
this popular delusion in his Deserted Vii
lage," In his lamentations over the declining
prosperity of the Tavern. Burns addresses
whiskey as the muse which inspires his laws,
and as the cup of kindness. BYRoN's Don
Juan is said to have been written, every word
OF 1T, under the inspiration Of Gin and water.
PoPn shortened his life by Incorporate in
diligence. CAMPBELL, the immortal author
Of the Pleasures Of Hope, was, for years
before his death, a confirmed drunkard.-
Tom Moore lived in a wine cup and Bacchus
was the only god he worshipped. And above
all, SHAKESPEARE, the all but inspired Shak.
71pn1.o ~ cnS1 n lar. al r. ~
of a debauch.
"These are the men who have moulded the
worlds ideas IN the subject and is it won.
derful that their sentiments have. to a great
extent, influenced the habits of society, and
especially of that intellectual and cultivated
class, who are most familiar with the wri
tlngs, and the most devout worshi ppers Of
these mem"
The learned writer remarks upon the
strsngeness of the facts, that this mode Of
cultlvatlng the pleasures of society, has pre-
vailed In all nations and in all ages. The
various epochs in the life of man, from the
cradle to the grave, were registered in thu
annals of intemperance. The birth of +;
child, his attainment to majority, the mar
riage festivities, and even at the hour of death
the most disgusting scenes of drunkenness
were exhibited. Another ~ruinous Gus ton
noted, is that of friendly treats, or taking
social glass when we meet.
rs to the physical causes of intemperance
they are equally potent. The deceptive
: names given to Alcohol, such as Elirir vite
the elixir of life-or as the French have it
Eau de rie, the water of life, have aided t
perpetuate the delusion. Some erroneously
suppose that, because intoxicating liquors
are called strong, they therefore confe,
strength. Onions smell strong, and we nigh
as reasonably expect to gain strength from
smelling onions, as by drinking fluids of {
strong flavor. We call them strong becaus
they affect as strongly, and whatever affect
us IN this manner, cannot but be highly in
furious.
Prof. c. then give q resume of the views O
the writer in Blackwood, and exposes tn
1allacy OF his argument that narcotics an,
stimulating drinks are essential to man.
enjoyment and development and closes hi
article by saying-'The use of tobacco is t
the working man or the laborious student.
more economical and harmless luxury thai
: that of drinking and although a somewha
filthy and disagreeable practice, the worl
would gladly compromise, by permitting tn
use of tobacco, ad li6itum, if men would Civ
: up the bottle"