and other equally important periods in the life of man, are similarly celebrated; and even the last solemn cere'mony of burial is too frequently desecrated by vinous indulgence.* These occurrences have, in innumerable in away frail wives. It frequently happened too, that those who proffered assistance to others were prevailed on to taste the liquor,' and therefore soon stood as much in need of aid themselves as those to whom they meant to extend it. Men, women, and children, were to be seen staggering about in inimitable confusion, tumbling over each other with the utmost unconcern, and lying by scores in every direction, neither able to tell their names nor their residences. On Sunday morning, parties were out in all directions, looking for relations and friends, and removing them from the highways that they might not be observed by people going to church." "No fewer than three individuals died from the effects of excessive drinking, not to mention several others who narrowly escaped a similar fate from the same cause, having been obliged to be repeatedly bled, and afterward attended by medical men. The three victims to this debauch were all stout young men in the prime of life."-Public Papers, June 7th, 1830. The following melancholy picture is extracted from a work published in Scotland, entitled, "Some Account of the State of Morals and Religion in Skye, in 1805, and the period immediately previous to it: Assemblies for dancing were frequent among them, and as they were accompanied with the drinking of ardent spirits to excess, they almost invariably ended in quarrels and scuffles. Nothing can serve to give a clearer idea of the extent to which the vice of drunkenness abounded among them, than a description of the barbarous manner in which their funerals were conducted. Some were free enough to acknowledge that they experienced delight at hearing the death of a man or woman, because of the prospect it afforded them of getting their fill of whiskey. The friends of the deceased were particularly anxious to solemnize the funeral with great feast. This was what they called burying their deceased friend with decency. Hence they wasted, not only unnecessarily, but most wantonly, a great quantity of liquor and victuals on those occasions. This woful and barbarous practice was so general, and of so long standing, that persons, when arrived at old age, manifested a great anxiety to lay by a certain sum of money against their funeral. And upon their death beds, while indifferent upon the state of their souls, they would not forget to order matters regarding their funerals; often expressing, "that they could not be happy unless men were drunk and fought at their funerals." Their surviving relations would not neglect to attend to their dying requests. For honour's sake this barbarous custom must be complied with. Not to do so, was incurring much disgrace. Hence, many who were poor in circumstances, in order to attend to it, ran themselves deep into debt, which some of them were never able to discharge. Surely, it was a spectacle calculated to awaken deep regret in the bosom of an enlightened and benevolent Christian, to behold the distressed widow in the most desti. tute circumstances, going without shoes or head-dress with six, seven, or eight ragged and starving children; while perhaps her only cow must be disposed of to procure whiskey to make her neighbours drunk, and fight one another. Although the people, on other occasions, would walk twenty or thirty miles without either food or drink, yet, at funerals, the persons as sembled must be treated to excess, though the place of interment should not be a mile distant. Scores of men must be invited; and every man served with four or even five glasses of strong whiskey, and some food before they moved. Horse loads of bread and cheese, dressed fowls, beef and whiskey, went along with them to the burying ground. The funeral procession march ed in good humour, preceded by a piper to the place of interment. When the grave was secured, they sat down in some convenient place in the open air, but not unfrequently in the church, when the minister happened to be 80 generous as to grant his permission. The feasting then commenced. The rulers of the feast were always most pressing in their liberality, A stances, been made sources of disgusting intemperance. Even those individuals who, in general, view intemperance with disgust, look upon it at these periods as less venial in its character. Thus the marriage of a relation or friend, in some classes of society, is not regarded as properly celebrated, unless the parties become intoxicated. In the course of life, these occasions become frequent, until unfortunately, in too many instances, the dreadful habit of drunkenness is formed! It is to be feared, that many weak-minded persons take a pleasure in the holding of feasts, wherein their own bibacious importance has been conspicuous; and where exhibitions of their peculiar talent in that way can be conveniently made.* As number of uninvited persons were sure to make their appearance; they were served separately. Bread and beef were tossed in the air that they might alight among the boys, to produce scuffling among them, to the no small amusement of the assembly, and to the great honour of the deceased! the drinking advanced, they became wildly obstreporous and tumultuous, so that the clamour might be heard at a great distance. When the day was far spent, and the excessive drinking of ardent spirits had produced general intoxication, fighting and bloodshed ensued. The men of different clans would form themselves into parties, and would furiously attack each other. Many would be so overcome with drunkenness, that they could not move. The grosser the transactions of the day, it was considered the more honourable, and a more lasting monument to the memory of the deceased. At a gentleman's funeral five or six ankers of whiskey would perhaps be consumed. Most of the ministers would countenance this barbarous custom with their presence, and none of them ever made any vigorous effort to suppress and abolish it." The author of this interesting publication states that since the period alluded to, the introduction of the Gospel has created a great improvement in the morals of the people. In some places of the Isle of Skye, however, and in many parts of the Highlands, the same demoralizing practice is still carried on. Throughout Scotland the habit of drinking is intimately connected with every relationship of life. "A system of rule and regulation," observes a gentleman who has minutely investigated the subject, "as to times and occasions of drinking, pervades all branches of society in Scotland; at meals, markets, fairs, sacraments, baptisms, and funerals; and almost every trade and profession has its own code of strict and well observed laws on this subject most other countries have on the whole, only one general motive to use liquor, namely, natural thirst or desire for it; but in Scotland there exists a large plurality of motives, derived from etiquette and rule. There has been constituted with us a conventional and artificial connexion between liquor and courtesy and business; and this unnatural conjunction, is not, as in some other cases, occasional, but nearly universal."-(Evidence of John Dunlop, Esq., Parliamentary Enquiry, p. 399.) In Ireland very similar customs are observed. The feastings usually held at "wakes," as they are called, form a fruitful source of demoralization. Frightful quarrels and bloodshed are the common consequences. This custom had an early origin. In Mr. Hardiman's "Ancient Deeds," p. 80, is given the translation of an Irish award made in 1592. It mentions among other matters, that Loghlinroe is entitled to "a great cow, which was killed for the funeral of John M'Murrogh O'Slattery, together with all the wheat and liquor provided for the same. In some parts of England similar practices exist. A lamentable example of this kind occurred in the city of Petersburg, The practice of "friendly treats," is another frequent source of intemperance. An individual meets with a friend, and cannot separate without inviting him to "take a glass at his expense." Old times are talked over, and very frequently, a second and a third glass are introduced, until inebriation is the consequence. The same injurious practice is almost invariably adopted in the making and concluding of a “bargain,” as it is termed. If an individual wishes to make a purchase, an adjournment is proposed to an adjoining hotel, and in general previously to an agreement between the parties a stipulation is made, that a certain quantity of drink shall be included. A similar practice almost universally obtains on occasions, common in various branches of trade. "Footings," and penalties of a like nature, are from time to time exacted.* A very fruitful source of intemperance is found in the practice of handing round bowls of punch or whiskey at auctions, and similar occasions. This is done with the intent of so elevating the feelings, as to induce individuals to make unwary purchases.t Russia, in 1779. "One of the farmers of the brandy duty, who had made an immense fortune by his contract, proposed to give a feast to the inhabitants of the city, in testimony of his gratitude to those who had enriched him. The victuals, the beer, and the brandy, which he caused to be served, cost him 20,000 rubles! The populace flocked in crowds to the place adjoining to the summer gardens, where he gave this enormous repast; and in spite of the precautions that had been taken, disturbances soon arose among this motley throng of guests. The contentions first began about the places, and the better kind of provisions spread upon the board: from struggles and noise they proceeded to blows. Several persons were killed; others became so intoxicated that they fell asleep in the streets and perished from the severity of the weather. The number of people who lost their lives amounted in all to at least 500 !"-Life of the Empress Catherine II. vol. ii. Mr. Dunlop, in a work recently published, entitled, "The Philosophy of Artificial and Compulsory Drinking Usages in Great Britain and Ireland," enters at length into these pernicious habits. In this interesting volume no less than 297 drinking usages are specified. Mr. Dunlop has since discovered more than twenty in addition. tIntemperance at Auctions, &c.-This practice is carried on in country places to a considerable extent. An auctioneer would anticipate a very poor sale did he not place before his audience a quantity of stimulating liquor. The tithes sales in Wales are said to be conducted in a similar manner. Examination of Mr. Owen Roberts, Surgeon, Caernarvon, North Wales, before Parliamentary Committee, 1834. Question. Are there not in Wales frequent meetings of people, accompanied by great intemperance among them; sales, auctions, and things of that nature? Answer. Yes, there are, and the manner in which the tithes are let, tends most materially to encourage and increase immorality and drunkenness. The tithes of each parish are divided into many small parcels and let once a year by auction. In the morning part of the day, the owner of the tithe, or his agent, whether bishop, rector, perpetual curate, or vicar, gives a din Travellers assert, that they would be unable to do business with a certain class of customers, were it not for the aid of intoxicating liquors. By this means advantageous sales have not unfrequently been made.* Innumerable examples might be adduced in proof of the intimate and widely spread habit of using intoxicating li quors, even on the most trivial occasions. Space however, will not admit of further detail.† ner or treat to the persons who are paying for the last year's tithe; after the money has been received, and while they are at dinner enjoying themselves with pipes, punch and ale, the persons in another room, where the auction is to take place, are plied with ale, tobacco and punch, till sufficient excitement is produced; the auctioneer is brought forth; different parcels are set up lot by lot; every person bidding for a lot is handed a cup to drink, either punch or ale, after each bidding; and many a one is often surprised on being congratulated the next morning as the taker of one, two, or three parcels of tithes. I have seen respectable ministers handing the drink about as well as the most expert waiter in any tavern in town."-Parliamentary Evidence, 1834, p. 158-9. But Travellers themselves are peculiarly prone to vinous indulgence. "Well fed, riding from town to town, and walking to the houses of the several tradesmen, they have an employment not only more agreeable, but more conducive to health than almost any other dependant on traffic. they destroy their constitutions by intemperance; not generally by drunkenness, but by taking more liquor than nature requires. Dining at the trav eller's table, each drinks his pint or bottle of wine; he then takes negus or spirit with several of his customers, and at night he must have a glass or two of brandy and water. Few commercial travellers bear the employ for thirty years the majority not twenty."-Thackrah on the Effects of the Principal Arts, Trades and Professions, p. 83. †The value of the stores found in the cellars of the various Club-houses in London, may be adduced in evidence of the estimation in which wine is held, by a portion, at least, of the higher classes in the metropolis. Carlton Club £1500; United University Club, not much under £2000. The Literary and Scientific Athenæum, £3500 to £4000. The Union Club ap pears to exceed the rest in the contents of its cellars, which remarks the writer, from whose work we extract this information, "disguise it as people will, is the most important matter after all." The stock of wine, (the Chairman declares it to be an under-estimate) according to a recent valuation, amounts to £7150. The Junior United Service Club, values its stock of wines at £3722. Those of the United Service Club are worth, it is said, £7722. "A cellar so amply furnished, must be no sinal recommendation to the club. It accounts for the extraordinary anxiety manifested by certain gentlemen to be admitted as members."-The Great Metropolis, London. The Gambling-houses of London, (technically denominated "hells,") exceed all other establishments in their stock of wines. There is a close and almost inseparable connexion between gambling and drinking. Crockford's, in St. James' Street, cost in its erection nearly £60,000. The fur nishing of this establishment cost in addition £35,000. Its cellar contains wines to suit every diversity of taste. It is kept by Crockford's son, and is valued at £70,000. It measures 285 feet in length. Independently of innumerable hogsheads, the number of bottles on the shelves amount to 300,000. The author of the "Great Metropolis," was at a loss to know how with 750 subscribers (the subscription, moreover, only twelve guineas per annum, in addition to an entrance fee of twenty guineas,) Mr. C. could afford to give superb suppers in the saloon to those of the members who chose to partake of them, without any additional charge. The matter, however, was soon explained. "With regard to those who enter the haz Free indulgence in intoxicating liquors at public feasts and other similar entertainments, greatly contributes to the formation of intemperate habits. The vice of intemperance has been greatly fostered at public and other feasts. In this respect the customs of ancient and modern nations bear great similarity. A characteristic example of this practice is witnessed in what might very properly be called feasts of consultation or deliberation. This custom appears to have been of early date, and probably originated in the supposed powerful influence of wine in aiding deliberation. Among the ancients many important matters were arranged at meetings of this description. The Persians, for example, were in the habit of deliberating on "matters of the highest moment when warm with wine." The Germans also discussed affairs of the greatest importance at their feasts; and in particular, those which related to warfare. Both these nations, however, appear to have been conscious, that such occasions were not the most proper for calm decision, for, in general, the morning after the debauch, the same matters received further consideration.† The Ancients very generally held triumphal feasts for victories gained over their enemies, which may be denominated, feasts of victory. This custom had also a primitive origin. Thus, David obtained a decisive victory over the Amalekites. He came upon them suddenly while they were holding a feast on the occasion of having successfully pillaged Ziklag. Ahab found Benhadad, king of Syria, with thirty-two other kings feasting, and obtained a complete victory over them. Intemperance was exceedingly common among the Celts, who held feasts on almost all civil and even religious occasions. The Danes in particular were given to intemperance at their feasts. Frequent carousals were held for this purpose.§ Similar practices are found to ard room, I saw at once the policy of plying them with the choicest wines, and with a sufficient quantity of them, because 'where the wine is in, the wit,' according to the proverb, is sure to be out,' and men are then of course, in the best of all possible conditions to risk their money, and play too, in such a way as is most likely to result in their losing it," again-"a superb supper,' with a liberal supply of the choicest wines which London can afford, often inspires a disposition to gamble, when nothing else will. Nightly observation teaches the proprietors of these establishments, that the transition from the supper, in the saloon, to the hazard table, is as natural, as is the transition from the latter to utter ruin."-Ibid. *See Chapter ii. p. 25. 1 Sam. xxx. 16-20, † Idem. p. 34. |