Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-08-26
G&n1perantt. :Matt&r.
FASHIONABLE GLASS OF WINE.
20 touch it not though the ruby wave
Sparkle like gems in the mermaid,s cave"

FASHIONABLE GLASS OF WINE.
20 touch it not! though the ruby wave
Sparkle like gems in the mermaids cave"
We find on the pages of civil history, eou-
slant occurrences to the use of Wine as a
social beverage; especiallyamong the higher
and partricianc lasses:: At the convival meet
ing of boon companions, champagne and 9TH
er sparkling liquids were among the pro-
gramme of refreshments, and considered
indispensable to the hiarity Of the evening.
When friends occasionally met, the warm
clasp of the hand and cordial greeting must
be ratified by a glass of ruby wine; and even
the romantic and chivalric Troubadour, gift
ed as he was with the hesweetspirit Of song, must
inspire the miustrel's strain, and fortify his
courage by quafiug the wine.cup, before
trilling his lay beneath the latticed window
of his ladylove. Fashionable dinner-parties
were decidedly not recherche, if: various
wines graced not the sumptuous table, with
which to drink the health of friends, o. the
complimentary toast; and the reigning belle
of the season received the homage to her
bright eyes, her grace and beauty, in an
overAowing goblet ofthe sparkling beverage.
Even in our own happy America, many
years ago, in every house ofany pretensions,
the side. board was decorated with finely cut
glass and well-flled decanters; and ''mine
host" was considered far deficient in courtesy
and hospitality, if the casual visitor or friends
of the house were not invited to drink glass
of fine brandy or daintilysip Madeira attheir
pleasure. But thanks to the noble Sons of
Temperance, and other bands of moral re-
formers, this custom has fallen almost entire
Iyiuto disuse; and the pure, crystal streams
of Temperance, now sparkle, where the dow.
er.wreathed but poisoned bowl once presi-
ded. But it is more particularly of the Gus.
tom now so fashionable in the parlor or draw
iug-room that we would speak. Alas that
ladies, and especially young ladies, at balls,
parties, pic-nics, and even round the sacred
hearth-stone, will drink intoxicating bever-
ages in the presence of father, brother and
friends, how often are refreshments brought
in accompanied with wine and other stim-
ulating drinks, that are coyly slipped, but
with evident pleasure by The lady-visitors i;
and have seen those who refused to par
take of this hospitality, frowned upon, call
ed squeamish, puritan, and heard it assert
I'd in their absence, that any one who is
so very paticular, ,acould take such stimGu.
lants when it could be done secretly! Of
this, I have only to say, that "to the pure
all things are pure" and the purest motives
can never be appreciated by thoes who have
no sympathy with them. But, oh young
lady, if you have father or brother, to say
nothing Of your influence over friends and
| acquaintance, stop, and think before you
drink the xhilirating but poisonous draught.
Dearly as you love your brother, proud as
you are to claim him oh, better far see him
| lying before you pale and still, with deaths
signet on his unsullied youth, than, by yonr
example, lead him in the first steps of dis
sipation, to the infamy of drunkard's grave.
You may think L speak warmly upon the
subject, or from an overwroughtimagiuation
but had you known and felt what have ;
had you seen the hearts of those you love,
crushed, bleeding and bowed before you with
an agony too deep for words; and all from
the effects of pine-oh !you would hate,
loathe and abhor its very name.
And he to whom you have given your
best affections; in the sunshine of whose love
you only exist; can you offer him the wine
cup? Can you lure him to ruin, to fate
worse than death? Be not angry, dear lady,
but you surely do not loreone whom you can
urge upon precipice crowned with flowers,
when the first false step will hurl him to death
and destruction. You may say there is little
or no harm in social glass of wine taken
occasionally, but it does harm you itsullies
the lovely purity of woman's moral character
and oh remember, yourinfuence, your ex-
ample will bind potent spell upon the hearts
of those who love you. 1t may not lead you
to dissipation, to an excess that will intoxi-
cate your woman's pride, the security and
seciuson of home may save you from such
degradation; but your brothers go forth to
battle with the world. its snares and tempta-
tions beset them on every side !; and if they
have imbibed a taste for wine at home if
you put the glass to their lips and bid them
drink, does it not follow that where it is
elsewhere, and at places where tits presented
to them in the most seductive form? And
can We wonder that gentlemen drink intox-
eating beverages, when they see them slipped
by the rosy lips ofthe ladies, and their merits
and flavor commented upon with the judg-
ment of a couuoisseur? If woman, whom
they regard with homageand respect; whom
they look upon as an embodiment of virtue
and purity, can thus sully her lips. can we
expect them to MAINTAIN their integrity ?
Ifyou offer them the cup with your own fair
hands, and with beanng smiles insist upon
their tasting it, can you wonder that they
are often unable to refuse, and accept the
profered beverage, though serpent is coiled
beneath its ruby waves? l have heard some
gentlemen say, that though not in the habit
of drinking wine, and opposed to its use,
their moral courage had been insufficient to
resist the temptation when presented to them
by lady; especiallyif it was one whom
they had chosen as a a"bright, particular
star" Think of that, dear lady, remember