Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-17
ODillND.

ire history or The poppy plant and OF the
KNOWN; but 1t is generally understood that the
plant is not native OF tropical countries,
though 1t has been successfully reared in some
or Them Tie fact is that it is now cultivated
In all climates. The oldest notices of opium are
to be found in the medical works OF the Greeks.
Its use was also known TO the ancient Egyptians
1t appears, says Shoshee Chunder Dutt, that the
opinions adverse TO the use Of opium are exec cd
ingly well grounded. The victim of opium Is its
slave. The immediate visible effects of it on the
system when taken are that 1t increases the full
ness and force OF the pulse. augmentS the heat
OF the body, and invigorateS both the corporal
and mental functions for the time. eXhilarating
even to 1ntoX1cation; but this eXhiiaration is
always followed by laSSitude and sleep. Large
doses call up frightfUl dreams and fears, and re-
suit eventually IN elnaciatiOn, loss OF appetite
sickness and drOWSineSS; while continued use
which introduces the consumer into world OF
dreams, and lullS pain. misery. and even utter
desolation for the time, also inevitably leads
him to awful consequenceS-to commissions.
apopleXy and death. But even where the con-
sumner does not hazard to this extent the
strength is often undermined. and a habit
formed which can never be thrown off. The
alcohol drihker can do without his dose at usual
hour. Ii the opium smoker does not get his pipe
at the accustomed time, his limbs become de
b1l1tated, q discharge OF rheum comes from his
eyes and nose, and he is unequal to any exer-
ton IN the drug revives him. A more helpless
creature than the opium smoker without his
Whl11 cannot. In fact. De imagined. II the drug
is long Withheld, the consequences are invaria-
Oily 1atal: SO long as opium is smoked in mod
Grafton the effects may not be remarkable; but
those who have inspected the opium denS are
almost unanimous in opinion that. although
more quiet prevails In them than in London
more painful to look at than the Violent
drunkard. Being more seductive and more
{ naciouS than spirits, the effects of opium in
the long run are necessarily more dangerous.
sham Admiration in Literature.
Miss Martineau once confessed to me that she
N Ton
course" she said, the coarseness disgusts me,
but, apart from that, see no sort OF merit In
EDGE hnman tspea n 20 %e e. no k Wssy
some book" l disagreed with her very much
upon that point, and do so still; yet apart from
the coarseness (Which does not disgust every
tedious reading in Tom Jones'" At all events,
that expression Of opinion from such lips strike,
me as noteworthy 1t may here be said that
there are many English authors OF old date.
some OF whose beauties are unintelligible ex-
cept TO those who are acquainted with the
classics; and TON Jones" is one Of them Many
OF the introductions TO the chapters. not
TO mention ceri ain travestie of an Homeric
battle, must needs be as wearsome TO those
who are not scholars as the spectacle OF bnr-
lesque Is TO these who have not seen the origi-
old poets, especially Milton. I very much
doubt, In spite OF tie universal chorus to the
contrary. whether 'LycidaS' is much admired
by readers who are only acquainted with Fnp
their hearts as, for example, In Menoram'
does. once beheld Il young lady OF great lite
rary taste, and CT exquisite Sensibility, torn to
pieces Qiguratlvely) and trampied upon by
great scholar for yenturing to make complri-
son between those two poems. It's invocation
TO the MUSES., and the general classical air
which pervadeS it. had destroyed for her the
pathoS OF 'LycidaS,' whereas to her antagonist
those very impefrectiOnS appeared to enhance
its beauty. | did not interfere because the
wretch was her husband. and il would have
been worse for her If had, but nv sympa-
TILES were entirely with her. Her sad fate
Tor the massacre took place in public
would, l was well aware have the effect OF
making people lie worse than ever about MI
ton. ON that same evening. While some folks
were talking about Mr. MOrriS's Earthly Para
disc heard ScOrnful voice eXclaiIn ..On
give ne Paradise LOST" and with that gentle
man did have it out. | promptly subjected
him 10 crOSS-eAanllnatiOn, and drove him TO
that extremity that he was compelled TO admit
lie had never read a word OF Milton for 10 years.
and even then only i'll extracts from 'Eniield'S
speaker" Win Shakc5peare-thOugh there is
agood deal OF lying about him-the case IS dir
ferent. and especially with elderly people, for
I'm their day" as they pathetically term it,
Shakespeare was played everywhere. and every
one went to the play. They do not read him,
put they recOllect him: they are well acuuant-
ed with his be3utieS-that is. with the better
known OF tnem-and can quote him with maui
TEST appreciation. Tney are. intellectually in
position much superior TO that OF a fashion
able lady OF my acquaintance who informed me
that her daughters were going to the thea.er
that night TO see Shakespeare'S Turning OF the
Sfg. TT D,Et