Smyrna times., 1888-04-11
For the Smyrna Times
Pro Bono Publioo on New Drinks

Pro Bono Publioo on New Drinks !
AND WALKING "DIsTILLERIEs" AND
WALKING SALOONS"
A volume might be written in illus
tration Of the evil effects of dissipation :;
but this is unnecessary to those who
look carefully around them, and more
especially those who are conversant
with the history of mankind and some
what of their physiological action and
it is impossible in speaking of drunken
ness not to be struck with the physical
and moral degradation, which it has
and is still spreading over the world
and it cannot be denied wherever in
tOxicating liquors become general, true
morality is found to be on the decline.
They seem to act like the simoom of
the desert and scatter destruction and
misery around their path. Drunken
ness was the least common with the
Gothic or dark ages in proof this it
may be mentioned, that in 1898, wine
was vended as cordial by the English
apOthecaries, and it would be well for
the morals of this country if the people
abandon the use of Fusil oil whiskey
and Absinthe whiskey and were en-
abled to resort to such wines as the
French are in the habit of drink.
When we speak of drunkenness as
occurring in antiquity, it is proper to
remark, that there were certain coun-
tries in which it was viewed in much
more dishonorable light than by any
modern nation. The Nervii refused tC
drink wine alleging that it made them
cowardly and effeminate these simple
people had no idea of what by oul
seamen is called Dutch courage :
they didn't elevate their native valoI
by an artificial stimulent. So again
the ancient Spartans hOld inebriety il
such adherence, that, with a view t.
inspire the rising generation with ;
due contempt of the vice, it was Gus
tOmary to intOxicate the slaves anC
exhibit them publicly in this degraded
condition. By the Indians, drunken
ness is looked upon as a species of in
sanity, and in their language, the wore
ramgam signifying a drunkard, signi
fies a madman.
Both the ancient and the modern
could jest as well as mOralize upon thi
subject. There hangs a bottle @
wine," was the derisive exclamation G
the Roman sOldiery. as they pointed t,
the body of the drunken BOnOsus, VIII
in a fit of despair, suspended himsel
upon tree. "If you wish to have
shoe of durable materials" exclaime,
the facetious Matthew Langsbere
you should make the upper Ieathe
of the mouth of hard drinker-fo
that never lets in water!'
Be it borne in mind, that all inebriat
agents, often contain mot exceptin
coffee and teal elements of disease fOI
eign to themselves; and even "cofeine
the active principles of coffee, is ranke
as nervous stimuIGnt and aatispas
mOdic, and is the fashionable heart toni
of to-day.
We will say few words on "Absin
the" drinking. "Absinthe Liquor
a cheap proof spirit and aUOrmwOOd, in
trOduced into this country few year
ago, is on the increase and Staying it
victims by the thousands. We posi-
lively know that it slays more of it
votaries than any other intoxicant, be
cause it is cheaper, and any bar-tende
can make it on the instant or on call.
The use of this liquor, is fearfully Of
the increase in France and more espe
cially in Paris. Too ready, as our pee
pie are, to initiate foreign practices an
fashions, without regard always T.
good taste, usefulness or health, ther
is reason to fear that the vice is max
ing rapid headway in our own countr
among those who crave liquors, an
who are misled by accounts of its ez
hilarating influence when first used.
Under such circumstance, it is tn
duty of the press to exhibit true pic
ture of the pernicious effects of thi
seductive and poisonous drink. In de
ing so it cannot be deemed necessar
or advisable to give the several ingrt
dients which, after having been steepe
for some days in alcohol, furnish th
absinthe by distillation. The utmoi
care is taken to obtain the right shad
of color and to insure liquor expandin
and whitening well when mixed wit
water. Should there be deficienC
in these respects, the manufacture
does not hesitate to add indigo, hyssC
and nettles, and, still worse, even I
have recourse to sulphate of iron (gree
vitriol), to obtain this precise tint
: green, or chloride of antimony to pr
duce the muddy white precipitat,
both these chemicals being active pc
p sons, the latter, antimony, is so call,
= because it slew certain monks-henC
the term anti-monk Tor antimony).
Thereare two kinds ofabsinthe used
Paris, the common and the Swiss absi
the, the latter Of which possesses 1
most double the intoxicating properti
ID Of the former. France receives, q
cording to official returns, from Swil
n ] arland naorlxy t,vo voiliions of c,ollo