4. Impaired Memory. The strength of the memory is materially impaired by the use of intoxicating liquors. In the words of Sir A. Carlysle, its continuity is destroyed. "The memory," remarks this writer, "is always weakened by a rapid succession of evanescent impressions, the objects of thought are loosely assorted by a disorderly imagination; and the power to give a close and continuous attention to particular studies, is destroyed by an acquired habit of slovenly and heedless inductions. The mind is often diverted from more serious activity by idle wit, by ludicrous combinations, or vain and unprofitable wanderings." The idea that vinous liquors contribute to mental activity and happiness, in a great measure, originates in the presumption that pleasure arising from stimulants is capable of bestowing permanent and rational enjoyment. Pleasure is variously understood: "Some place the bliss in action, some in ease; Dr. Samuel Johnson made a very wise and appropriate distinction between pleasure and happiness. On being reminded, that he had once admitted that abstinence from wine would be a great deduction from life, he said: "It is a diminution from pleasure, to be sure, but I do not say a diminution of happiness; there is more happiness in being rational." And again, he remarks, "when we talk of pleasure, we mean sensual pleasure. Philosophers tell you that pleasure is contrary to happiness; gross men prefer animal pleasure."* It is a subject of deep regret, as well as a cause of intellectual and moral degradation to themselves, that many of the most eminent literary characters of both ancient and modern times, have, in a greater or less degree, indulged in the use of intoxicating liquors. The mental excitement to which such persons are subject, forms, no doubt, the predisposing cause, in connexion with the peculiar temptations, to this unhappy propensity, which beset most public characters. Hence, the moral powers in particular are in continual danger of losing the purity, as well as vigourm * Boswell's Johnson, which constitutes so essential a portion of the character of a well-regulated mind. A prominent cause of the intemperance of literary characters, consists in the irregular moral training to which most of them are subject. Modern education, is directed in a great measure, to intellectual development, while moral culture is almost altogether neglected. Hence, in too many instances, intellectual exhaustion is sought to be relieved by artificial excitement. The biographies of ancient celebrated philosophers and statesmen present lamentable examples of loose morality, combined with intellectual acquirements. Many of the heathen philosophers appeared to view occasional drunkenness as perfectly compatible with a virtuous life. Cato, in the words of Horace, presents a remarkable instance; Corvinus, the stoic philosopher, also indulged in vinous. potations: "Come, Corvinus, guest divine Bids me draw the smoothest wine; Thee despises; for of old, Cato's virtue, we are told, And with social raptures flowed."-DUNCAN. Seneca, the celebrated philosopher states, that Cato occasionally indulged in wine, as a relief from the cares of public business. Cato vino laxabat animum curis publicis fatigatum; and elsewhere himself remarks, that people reproached Cato with drunkenness but that reproach was rather an honour to him than otherwise. Catoni ebrietas objecta est, et facilius efficiet quisquis objecerit honestum quam turpem Catonem. Seneca himself even recommended occasional drunkenness as a means of banishing sorrow. Anacharsis, the Scythian philosopher, at times indulged to a free extent in the use of inebriating liquors.* Ælian includes in his catalogue of hard drinkers, Amasis, the_lawgiver of Greece. Zenocrates, Stilpo of Megara,† and Zeno, were subject also to the same vice. Other heathen philosophers of note might be adduced, as degrading examples of intellectual eminence, sullied and debased by sensual indulgence. Nor were certain of the heathen poets more strict in their conduct. Their poems were often inter Ælian lib. 2. 2. Stilpo was one of the chiefs of the Stoics. When about to die, he intoxieated himself with the view to alleviate the terrors of death. spersed with encomiums on wine, and their conduct fre-quently exhibited a pitiable want of moral correctness and strength. Ion, the tragic poet, according to Ælian and Euripides, was noted for vinous indulgence. Philoxenus declared that he longed for a neck like a crane, that he might the longer enjoy the taste of wine, of which he was immoderately fond. Ennius, and Alceus, rank also in the class of notorious topers. The former poet died of the gout induced by habits of gross intemperance. Timocreon, of Rhodes, a comic poet, also was addicted to the same debasing vice. Athenæus informs us, that the following epitaph was inscribed on his tomb : of wine. "Multa bibens, et multa vorans, mala denique dicens The lays of Anacreon* are chaunted by every votary of Bacchus, and the verses of Homer (who is described as having been temperate in his habits) teem with the praises The poets in ancient days are said to have met together once a year, in the month of March, to celebrate a festival in honour of Bacchus and wine. Ovid, in particular, alludes to this practice :— "Illa dies hæc est, qua te celebrare poetæ, Inter quos memini, dum me mea fata sinebant, Non invisa tibi pars ego sepæ fui."—OVID, Trist. v. 3. It is unnecessary to refer to additional examples in illus tration of the present position; those already adduced are sufficient proofs of intellectual degradation, where we should have expected the highest examples of mental cultivation, issuing in the purest principles of moral rectitude. On the contrary, however, it is evident that the amount of moral evil influence, thus exhibited by men who were looked upon as superior beings, must have been productive of pernicious results among the inferior ranks of mankind. In more recent times, men of intellectual eminence and mental strength, have displayed a similar fondness for strong drink, and want of moral restraint. Pitt, according to a recent writer, would retire in the midst of a warm debate, and indulge to the extent of a * Pausanias informs us, that when at Athens, he saw the statue of Anacreon, which represented the poet as drunk and singing. couple of bottles of wines. "The quantity of wine that would have closed the oratory of so professed a Bacchanalian as Sheridan, scarcely excited the son of Chatham."* His friend, Lord Melville, (Henry Dundas) was also much addicted to vinous indulgence. Of Fox, a similar statement may be made. The habits of Sir Richard Steele, Addison,† Porson, Sheridan, and Burns, are too well known to require further detail. To this catalogue of illustrious topers, might be added, if necessary, others distinguished in the pages of modern literature. Those already cited, however, are amply sufficient to establish the point at issue. They present to our notice melancholy examples of exalted genius, closely connected with this most debasing vice, in too many instances, to the utter extinction of moral excellence in their brilliant characters. The influence of intemperance on the character of the literary productions of celebrated men, forms an interesting subject of inquiry. Many writers, both in ancient and in modern times, are described as having composed under the influence of strong drink. Æschylus is said never to have composed but when in a state of intoxication. It is stated, that the imagination of the poet was strong and comprehensive, but disorderly and wild; fruitful in prodigies, but disdaining probabilities.§ His style was peculiarly obscure. Horace thus speaks of Ennius :— "Ennius ipse pater nunquam nisi potus ad arma Prosiluit dicenda."|| Of Alcæus also, it is said, that he never sat down to compose tragedy, but when in a state of intoxication. Horace makes the following bold assertion. tled to rank among other of his poetical fictions: "Nulla placere diu, nec vivere carmina possint, *Rede's Memoir of the Right Hon. George Canning. It is enti It is recorded of Addison, that on one occasion, when in company with Voltaire, he drank to such excess as to vomit, on which that French writer remarked in a sarcastic manner-that the only good thing that came out of Addison's mouth in his (Voltaire's) presence was the wine that had gone into it. It is related, that when he composed, his countenance betrayed the greatest ferocity; and, according to one of his scholars, when his Eumenides were represented, many children died through fear, and several pregnant women actually miscarried in the house, at the sight of the horrible masks that were introduced.-Lemprière. Lemprière, Art. Eschylus. || 1 Ep. xix. 7. ward commanded the son of Prexaspes, who was his chief cup-bearer, to stand upright at the end of the room, with his left hand placed upon his head. The monster then took his bow, levelled it at the youth, and declaring that he aimed at his heart, actually shot him through that vital organ. Cambyses commanded the body to be opened, and exhibiting the heart to the bereaved parent, in an exulting and scoffing manner, enquired of him whether he had not shown great steadiness of hand? Philopater (Ptolemæus) the 4th King of Egypt, is another example of the connexion between cruelty and intemperance. He was called Zipan, because of his extravagance and debauchery, and Gallus in consequence of his having appeared in the streets of Alexandria, as a bacchanalian, with the gestures of a priest of Cybele. Philopater, weakened and enervated by intemperance, and continual debauchery, died at an early age.* He was possessed of none of the virtues which adorn man, and the news of his death was received by his subjects with rejoicing. Prusia, King of Bithynia, who died about 149 B. C. is described by Polybius as the meanest of monarchs, without honesty, without morals, virtue or principle; cruel and cowardly; intemperate and voluptuous, and an enemy to all learning.t Tiberius, (Nero) emperor of Rome, was a most immoral character, conspicuous alone for cruelty, avarice, deceit, and ingratitude. During his retreat to Capreæ, this heartless monster held out suitable inducements to such as could invent new pleasures, or produce fresh luxuries, and abandoned himself to the most hideous and loathsome vices. In consequence of his excessive intemperance, Tiberius, in derision, was denominated Biberius, while his surname of Nero, was with equal appropriateness changed to that of Mero. Of this emperor, Seneca humourously observed, that he never was intoxicated but once in his life, for he continued in a perpetual state of inebriation, from the time he gave himself up to drinking, till the last moment of his life. Nero Claudius, another Emperor of Rome, was celebrated for his cruel and debauched habits. His burning * Lempriere Bibliotheca Classica, art. Philopat. where reference may be made to ancient writers, concerning this and other monarchs, adduced by way of illustration. †Ibid. |