as on this side it travels toward the north." Dr. Macnish, in his Anatomy of Drunkenness, affirms that there cannot be a doubt that drunkenness prevails to a much greater extent in northern than in southern latitudes; and immediately afterward adds, "the nature of the climate renders this inevitable, and gives to the human frame its capabilities of withstanding liquor."*

In reference to the latter statement it may be remarked, that the nature of climate does not interfere so much with the disposition or proneness of mankind for stimulating liquors, which appears to have exhibited a similarity of character in every portion of the globe; but the effects noticed by this writer must be ascribed to the physical capabilities or power of resisting foreign influences which varies in the human constitution under different climates. Hence remarks Dr. Macnish-a quantity which scarcely ruffles the frozen current of a Norwegian's blood, would scatter madness and fever into the brain of the Hindoo. Even in Europe, observes the same writer, the inhabitants of the south are far less adapted to sustain intoxicating agents than those of the north.†

A medical writer has expressed himself in the following erroneous manner on the subject in question. "The great estimation," he asserts, "in which spirituous liquors are held by all northern nations, is a sure proof of their necessity and value. Among these a perpetual struggle between the laws of life within, and the laws of nature with out, exists; and, whatever will give a preponderance to the former, will of course, be eagerly sought after. The further we approach to the north, the greater devotedness we find to these liquors. When life and nature are at a low ebb, artificial excitements become indispensable; and the means of obtaining these will be among the chief objects of the people." The existence of a stronger propensity for stimulating ingredients in one part of the world more than another, is not surely a sufficient proof of their value and necessity. The statement of Dr. Sheer, however, is found to be directly opposed to the known laws of the animal economy. The system of man is wisely constituted by a beneficent Creator, with such capabilities as enable him to endure not only the vicissitudes of climate, but when requisite to sustain extraordinary exertion of the

* Anatomy of Drunkenness, p. 16. † Ibid. p. 17.

Dr. Sheer on the Diseases of the Lower Orders in Dublin.-Dublin Hospital Reports. Vol. iii.

animal strength, without serious injury, and supported only by the most simple kinds of nutriment. Alcoholic stimulants in all climates, and under every ordinary circumstance, invariably diminish this capability by injuring and wasting the vital powers of the human frame. Hence the use of stimulating liquors in cold climates in particular, ought to be avoided, because they do not add to the natural strength of the system; but deprive it more or less of that vital energy with which it has been endowed to enable it to resist external influences. A proper supply of nourishing food and appropriate clothing, is all that is necessary for the purpose in question. The quality and quantity of nutriment, necessary for the support of the animal frame, is affected, to a considerable extent, by climate, as may be rendered sufficiently evident by the change which is felt in our own country, during the seasons of winter and summer. The heat of summer diminishes the appetite for that stimulating kind of food, which appears in some degree necessary during the rigorous effects of colder seasons. Hence the necessity of dietetic caution. The same result is found to occur in the various latitudes to which reference has been previously made. The Creator has, however, everywhere placed within the reach of man-such natural food as is requisite, and best adapted to the situation and climate in which he is located. All other indulgence is the result of unlawful gratification, and depraved appetite; and cannot be attributed to necessary and inevitable circumstances, over which he has no control.

4. Intemperance is common to savage and to civilized nations, to the illiterate and the educated. This vice has existed almost in every nation, and among every people, whether belonging to the uncultivated savage, or to those individuals who have enjoyed the advantages of education and refinement.

The history of intemperance, acquaints us with examples of the effect of strong drink on nations, eminent for intellectual qualifications, almost equally atrocious in their character, with those occurring among the most barbarous nations on record. The consequences of intemperance, indeed admit of few modifications. They are invariably degrading and unnatural in their character.

Some of the features of intemperance, are considerably modified by education, in particular when combined with a certain amount of moral restraint. The untutored savage, abandons himself to insatiate and unbounded excess

restrained by no principles of shame or propriety. His views of earthly enjoyment, extend little beyond the present moment: no sufficient motive, therefore, presents itself, to oppose his unlimited desire for sensual gratification. Hence arise those horrible and disgusting scenes of bloodshed, so generally resulting from savage excess.

The same effects, however, though perhaps, in different degrees of excess, will, on further examination, be found to attend the operations of intemperance, in more civilized portions of the globe. In proportion, as the animal propensities of man preponderate over his moral and intellectual powers, will be found prevailing among the species, a greater or less amount of ferocious excitement, and savage barbarity.

The drinking practices, however, of civilized nations, in some respects, differ materially from those of the unpolished and unguarded savage. The object of an intemperate member of the former class, is not how he can attain the readiest method of intoxication, but how he can attain the highest degree of animal and pleasurable excitement, without the exhibition of any visible signs of what is commonly denominated intemperance.

The moderate intemperance of the present day, (a vice, unfortunately for society, almost universal in its extent) may be considered as an art peculiar in itself, requiring special and long continued training, before it is brought even to comparative perfection. The morality of modern refinement, (special occasions excepted,) denounces the vice of drunkenness, as odious and disreputable. It has, in consequence, assumed a more captivating, insidious, and respectable form, under the indefinite and dangerous designation of moderate drinking. It will easily be seen how impossible it is, on any sound or correct data, to define the nature and limits of moderate indulgence. In a physiological point of view, this is impossible. It is a wellknown fact, that long continued habit will enable one individual to endure, without the least external symptom of intemperance, such an amount of alcoholic stimulus as would render another person less inured to the intoxicating draught, in the popular sense of the word, completely drunk and even insensible. Hence persons may be chargeable with intemperate excitement and really be under the influence of a greater or less amount of it; and at the same time they may pass through the ordinary circumstances of life with a certain kind of credit and respectability, and

even be looked upon as temperate members of society. Let it not, however, be supposed that the practice of modern drinking is unattended with immoral and injurious effects. Experience demonstrates the contrary. The mere animal drinker, as we have seen in the example of the savage, commits under the influence of excessive excitement horrible deeds of violence and bloodshed. The moderate excitement, however, produced by the drinking habits of refined society, is not much less dangerous and destructive, although, in general, its effects are overlooked, and not unfrequently attributed to other causes. The greater part of the broils which occur in civilized society, seldom take place when the individuals in question are in a state of visible intoxication; but at a period when their animal and moral powers have been elevated to a pitch of-controllable excitement, and when credit is given them for having perfect command over their feelings and judgement. In this state the balance of reason is easily overthrown, and the whole force of subdued and accumulated excitement is brought to bear on the first favourable opportunity which may present itself for its full development, and unrestrained operation. The records of domestic history, no doubt, bear melancholy evidence of this fact. The following testimony of the Rev. Dr. Hewitt of America has relation to a similar influence in a national point of view:"The common people of France," he remarks, "are burnt up with wine, and look exactly like the cider-brandy drinkers of Connecticut and the Ñ. E. rum drinkers of Massachusetts. If they do not drink to absolute stupefaction, or intoxication, it is because sensuality with Frenchmen is a science and a system. They drink to just that point at which their moral sense and judgement are laid asleep, but all their other faculties remain awake. Hence all the horrors of the French Revolution." Mr. Hewitt advances this opinion as the result of personal observation and expe rience.

5. Intemperance is modified not olny by the physical temperament upon which it operates, but by the nature of the inebriating agent by which it is produced. Various causes contribute to the development of peculiar temperament. Vitiated education, and irregular moral and physical training, present themselves among the most prominent; in addition, perhaps, to a mental or physical conformation natural to each member of the human family.

Macnish, in his Anatomy of Drunkenness, specifies seven

varieties of temperament as modified by drunkenness; viz. The Sanguineous, Melancholy, Surly, Phlegmatic, Nervous, Choleric, and Periodical. A few general observations will suffice to elucidate the subject in question. Individuals of a sanguineous temperament are easily excitable, and noisy, and spirited over their cups. They form the principal source of attraction at meetings of a convivial description, and are soon affected even by moderate vinous indulgence. Their convivial qualifications form a dangerous source of temptation to excess.

Choleric temperaments, like the sanguineous, have highly susceptible nervous systems, as well as physical powers predisposed to inflammatory action.

Other temperaments, on the contrary, are not easily elevated by vinous indulgence. The Phlegmatic class of drinkers, in general, are not roused from their natural lethargy, at a time when the former class are either altogether, or in a great measure overpowered by bacchanalian indulgence.

In addition to these is a variety of shades, in the nature of which, the preceding characters more or less participate. The Melancholic drunkard is subject to most distressing paroxysms of despondency, succeeding to, and totally extinguishing all his preceding sensations of pleasure. The lives of some of our eminent literary characters form striking and pitiable examples.†

Many of these varieties are the necessary result of irregular moral and physical education. The early and frequent use of alcoholic stimulants is well known to be a productive source of nervous excitement and irritable temperament.

The use of intoxicating liquor is more particularly dangerous to persons of sanguineous and choleric temperaments, who, under the inflaming influence of strong drink, are readily excited to deeds of a daring and impetuous character. The annals of crime are fruitful with illustrations of this description.

The use of inebriating liquor, in no one instance, benefits these varieties of temperaments. It stimulates the san

Anatomy of Drunkenness, p. 52.

Burns appears to have been subject to lowness of spirits from an early period; his biographer writes as follows: "Till toward the era of his commencing author, when his growing celebrity occasioned his being often in company, I do not remember to have ever seen him intoxicated, nor was he at all given to drinking. No sooner, however, was he led into intemperance, than his disorder became aggravated, and his dejection, from being a casual occurrence, became continual."