New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-14

In a previous article coffee was discussed. Its
history and geography sketched. mistaken charges
against it disposed or the testimony OF saNants
10 it's character and virtues presented the way to
set good coffee pointed out, and how 10 prepare II
explained. Naturally. once the range OF subjects
tea, beer, ale and wine-to which coffee is held
by many OF the foremost thinkers and economists
belong is entered upon. II is next 10 impossole
10 refrain from consideration OF all fits divisions
The case Of either Of the above mentioned bever-
sees is analogous 10 that of coffee. which has
grown 10 be mistakenly considered a nerve wrach-
er that drives men 10 drink. yet is often the favo
rite stimulating beverage of peoples noted for their
temperate habits For example. in certain sections
OF the South. II is the custom 10 keep the coffee
pot in readiness close TO the sooy OLD iron Kettle
hanging, always a-boi by its huge ana ancient
crane over the merry blaze OF burning oak logs
.n the wide hearth. that. like Betsy Prigg the
household may touch the delicious, fragrant
beverage 10 IT'S Hips" when It feels so dispoged
or NAV offer a steaning cup TO whomsoeNer may
call whatsoever the hour. And, as result, there
are few sections OF the country where less intoXl-
eating drink is consumed. Statistics show that
the peoples Of countries in which beer ae or WINE
SIS In common use equally temperate. The juice
OF the grape and the infusion OF matted narley ana
hons would appear TO serve, as DO tea ana coIiee'
- satisfy that craving for stmulants that seems
inmate IN all peoples. and that, too, without the
baneful results that follow the intemperate use OF
elcohol.
7, would seem, then "a sowing of good seed" TO
sur,ish reasons for their substitution for more
ANfAN0--'
harmful beverages: for If IL has an influence upon
q man 10 show how certain practces nave mace,
or rnarred his neighbor why not upon peopie'
Contrast what the undue indulgence In alcoho4 mas
aora 70 certain nations with what wine and malt
beverages have for others and add to the les
son the weight scientific authority as 10 their ef-
feet upon she individual. and IL must command at
tention: show that while the former Is dee'erious
the latter are good foou ana u'-IiA anu t40
lesson will be applied.
Wine made Of the French. and OF the ltaiahs'
the thrifty, industrious workers who achieved:
and that despite the feverish. volatile tempera-
rnent OF the one and the excitable and emotional
nature OF the other besides, It has always largely
helped 10 for both the subsistence problem.
On the case of the former spirit drinking, later.
came near to pulling the nation down from Its
high estate) And the odd October OF song ana
\ story has played great a part in building the
y Drawn and brain Of England as has her equally
famous .'roast beef While King Gamhrinus has
rrobabv come nearer saving his subjects from
the seduction Of John BarleycoTn than has the
little rosy god his yotaries the little spirits
that dwell in the ale cas theirs. they may al least
claim TO have exercised restraining influence
And II cannot he gainsaid that all three have done
much to help their people retain their Status as
prime factors OF modern civilization.
Are not. then, their claims well worth consid-
Grafton? Is just estimate OF their virtues
really OF as vital Importance as is the reckoning
of other food values? once this is arrived al. and
che knowledge thereof is widely disseminated. the
enactment Of laws TO preserve their purity and TO
foster their substitution for moro harmful beFer-
ages must soon follow. especially as Americans
are Quick 10 act upon suggestions that appeal to
rher common sense and that seem likely 10 aid
their ambitious desire TO make of their country an
example the whole world OF the higher GVlliza-
zion II IS thought therefore. that further discus
sion Of the subject in a newspaper that appeals 10
that inteligent minority that largely mOulds
public opinion and also sets the fashion" that
curious but Irresistible dictum which so few dare
dsobey-wiu prove Of service. especially If there
anan1aF 1n-CF ant
and practical experts
BEER NO PIEBEIAN DRINK
Feer as the most largely used of the three bev
erages in this country naturally claims the earliest
consideration. Though in common use almost the
world over and by reason of its small cost within
reach OF the slepderest purse beer is by no means
pebeian-its lineage is Of the noblest; in Northern
mythology the brewer and his art were important
factors, the beer drinking meetings of the Ger
manic tribes being really saclihcial banQuets IL
IS worthy of that to-day several monkish
orders in Europe. and a certain monastery in
pennsyl vania, brew famous beers, and Introduce
The seasons brew with semi-religious ceremonials
Vida, the writer of excellent history or the
ancient guilds. gives numerous examples Of this
oueer admixture Of heather feast and Christian
FESTIVAL among them that OF King Hakon who or
dained that Yuletide should be celebrated Christmas
loay and that every freeman should brew the third
of a tun good malt. and continue the celebration
as long as his beer lasted
IL speaks well for the virtue OF beer that its
cessve use by the Norsemen did not seem 10 impair
their viriity; there mighty drinkers in those
days and yet who writes OF the vikings that
roamed the seas" without prefNing hardy The
fact that the mighty foaming aagons they quafed
contained quite a much food drink seems
have not only enabled them 10 escape degcneracy,
but to have actually built up spirit. mind and
stature.
There seems 20 he doubt that the Germanic
tribes and their descendants incorporate for
all histories point the fact that drinking
excess was from the earliest ages a national evil,
Tacitus, for one, telling the most horrible stories
OF the drinking habits of the Germans of his time
IT is significant however, that all announcements
OF authority. and exhortations from pulpit and
rostrum. against this excess do not appear TO have
proceeded from any fear OF race degeneracy. Ex-
cessive drinking simply inveighed against
were gluttony the passion for dress and like
ccsses was only when distilled spirits took the
place OF beer q national beverage that de-
KsnCracy doomed the horizon An authOrlta-
i've Nrlter on Rile SUBJECT says. germany Inc
intemperate use or beer and wine had reached its
height in the sixteenth century, sometimes styled
the century OF drinking bouts; and. indeed the
chronicles OF some OF the performances at the con-
credible. Yet. after the Thirty Years War had
devastated the vineyards IN the South OF Germany.
and distilled spirits OF a most abomlnable quality
had been introduced by The martial hordes OF the
North. the debauches OF past periods seemed like
harmless pastinees; the horrors alcoholism
then began the first time on the banks OF tie
es yet uniform technical term had been found
for tine evil. Want. suffering, despair and laxjty
Of morals aggravated tho sad consequences" All
along the centuries. history records The en-
forced and entire change OF the drinking habits
of the people. the change from beer and wine "a
6Duu(o spirits. has resulted similarly In their