Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-04-25

BEACON LIGHTS OF HISTORY.

BEACON LIGHTS OF HISTORY.
Examples of Human Virtue That Have
Made the World Better.
d. IUnder this heading from time to
time will be published q series Of au-
thenticated extracts dealing with his
torical examples Of the good and bad
in human nature, mostly good; but all
furnishing an admirable chart Of con-
duct to be emulated or avoided:
DRUNKENNESS.
Sentiments.
It is very common that events arise
from q debauch which are fatal, and
always such as are disagreeable. With
all mans reason and good sense about
him, his tongue Is apt to utter things
out Of mere gaiety Of heart. which
may displease his best friends. Who,
then, would trust himself to the power
Of wine, if there was no other obJec.
the imagination and depresses the
judgment? = F
However this tribe Of people may
think Of themselves, q drunken man is
q greater monster than any that Is to
be found amongst all the creatures
which God has made, as indeed there
Is no character which appears more
despicable and depraved, in the eyes of
all reasonable persons. than that Of a
drunkard.
Examples.
Cyrus, according to the manners of
the Persians, was from his infancy ac-
customed to sobriety and temperance;
Of which he was himself a most Illus
trious example through the whole
course Of his life. When Cyrus was
took him with her into Media, to his
grandfather Astyages, who, from the
many things he had heard said In ia
YOUR Of that young prince, had great
desire to see him. In this court young
Cyrus found very different manners
from those Of his own country: pride,
luxury, and magnificence reigned here
universally: all of which did not af-
feet Cyrus, who, without criticising or
condemning what he saw, was content
ed to live as he had been brought up,
and adhered to the principles he had
imbibed from his infancy. He charmed
his grandfather by his sprightliness
and wit, and gained everybody's fa-
viour. Astyages, to make his grandson
unwilling to return home. made sump-
tuous entertainment, In which there
was vast plenty and profusion of ev-
erything that was nice and delicate. All
this exquisite cheer and magnificent
preparation Cyrus looked upon with
great indifference. "The Persians,"
says he to the king, instead Of going
such roundabout way to appease
their hunger, have q much shorter to
the same end; little bread, and a few
crosses, with them answer the pur-
pose." Astyages desiring Cyrus to dis
pose Of all the meats SIS he thought fit,
the latter Immediately distributed them
to the kings officers in waiting; to one
because he taught him to ride; to an
other, because he waited we'll upon his
grandfather; and to third, because he
took great care Of his mother. Sacras,
the kings cup-bearer, was the only
person to whom he gave nothing. This
officer, besides the post Of cupbearer,
had that likewise Of introducing those
who were to have an audience Of the
king; and as he did not grant that ia
YOUR to Cyrus as often as he desired 1t,
he had the misfortune to displease the
prince, who, took this occasion to show
his resentment. Astyages, testifying
some concern at the neglect Of this Of
ficer, for whom he had particular re-
gard. and who deserved 1t, as he said,
on account of the wonderful dexterity
with which he served him; rs that all,
SIR" replied Cyrus; If that be suffi-
cient to merit your favour, you shall
see I will quickly obtain 1t; for I will
take upon me to serve you better than
he." Immediately Cyrus Is equipped as
a cup-bearer. and advancing gravely,
with a serious countenance, a napkin
upon his shoulder, and holding the cup
nicely with three Of his fingers, he pre-
sented 1t to the king, with dexterity
and grace that charmed both Astyages
and his mother, Mandane. When he
had done, he flung himself upon his
grandfather's neck, and, kissing him,
cried out with great Joy, 20 Sacras!
poor Sacras! thou are undone; shall
him with great fondness, and said, II
am mighty we'll pleased my son; no
body can serve with better grace:
but you have forgot one essential cere-
mony, which Is that Of tasting" And
indeed the cup-bearer was used to pour
some Of the liquor into his left hand,
and to taste 1t before he presented It
to the king. mo-" replied Cyrus, 'it
was not through forgetfulness that I
omitted this ceremony" why, then"
says Astyages, 'for what reason did
you omit it?" Because apprehended
there was poison in the liquor" Poi
son, child! how could you think so?"
Yes, poison, sir; for not long ago, at
an entertainment you gave to the lords
Of your court, after the guests had
drunk little Of that liquor, perceiv-
ed all their heads were turned: they
sang, made q noise, and talked they did
not know what; you yourself seemed
to have forgotten that you were king,
and they that they were subjects; and
when you would have danced, you could
not stand upon your legs" "Why."
says Astyages, have you never seen
the same thing happen to your father?'
mo, never" says Cyrus. What then!
how Is It with him when he drinks?' 2
why, when he has drunk, his thirst Is
quenched, and that is all."-Xenoph.
Cyr lib. l.
Clitus was one Of Alexander's best
friends, an old officer, who had fought
under his father Philip. and signalized
himself on many occasions. At the bat
tie Of the Granicus, as Alexander was