taste being judged necessary for the regulation of all our actions, it must be presumed that the same essentials will interfere in directing us in the use or abuse of the good things of this life, be it either in eating or drinking. As regards the latter, though it may not be laid down as a general rule, it will, in the majority of cases, hold good, that When'er thou dost perceive a nose, That red, with many a large carbuncle glows, Thou may'st conclude, nay, thou may'st safely swear, Spirits sufficiently diluted with water, that is, upon the regular grog establishment, are not injurious, only when taken in excess, and at improper times. Spirit undiluted takes away the appetite; though in those accustomed to drink much and often, it will give it an edge; which, nevertheless, will soon be blunted, in proportion to the frequency, and the quantity in which it is taken. As we have laid down some vulgar rules for the regulation of the sensible effects of grog-drinking, we shall leave the rest to the special direction of those whom it may hereafter accidentally concern. In the words, therefore, or rather in the reverse sense of the double entendre of the old song "Ben Backstay," we shall conclude, where he is made to say, By drinking grog I lost my life, Never mix your liquor, boys, But always take it neat. Chip chow, cherry chow, &c. SECTION XXIV. BRANDY, EAU DE VIE, &C. BRANDY is well known as a spiritous and inflammatory liquor, extracted from wine and other fluids, by distillation. The brandy made in France is esteemed the best in Europe. The chief French brandies are those of Bourdeaux, Rochelle, Cognac or Cogniac, the Isle of Rhe, Orleans, Nantz, and Poictiers. The intemperate use of brandy, and other spiritous liquors we have already adverted to: the practice of using them in this manner is detestable and pernicious; and, to what has previously been said on this subject, may be added, that DRUNKENNESS Expels reason, A thief to the purse, Childrens' sorrow, The picture of a beast, A self-murderer, Who drinks to the good health of others Destroys his own, as well as the happiness of those whom he ought to protect, love, & cherish. The intemperate use of spiritous liquors includes, in fact, in its consequences, nearly every evil, physical and moral. It emaciates the body, impairs the strength, stupifies the brain, brings on a train of insidious diseases, which in most instances have a fatal termination; and in all cases shortens the duration of human life. Happy, therefore, is the man, who, with a pleasurable recollection, can say, after he has topped the meridian of life, As in my youth I never did apply Hot and rebellious liquors in my blood; SHAKSPEARE. The celebrated Bishop Berkeley used to call the few who had drank spiritous liquors with impunity for a series of years, the Devil's decoys. In 1642, brandy, it is probable, was not in fashion; yet Nurse, in "Romeo and Juliet," calls for it amain, under the name of aqua vita, which, nevertheless, might be a composition having brandy in. "Some aqua vita, ho! my lord!" It appears to have been chiefly used in those days for medical purposes. In Captain Wyndham's voyage to Guinea, there was brandy on board for the use of the sick sailors. It was said to have been invented by Raymundus Lullius, the famous alchymist, who died in the year 1315. Charles the Bad, King of Navarre, came to a most horrible end, says Mezerey, who, to restore his strength, weakened by debauchery, was wrapped in sheets, steeped in eau de vie. His valet by accident set fire to them after the third day, he died in the most dreadful tortures; and, it is to be hoped, thus expiated the crimes of his most execrable life.* Dram-drinking, whether it be rum, gin, brandy, or other spirits, is the most pernicious way of using these liquors. They ought when taken to be diluted and made palatable; the quantity never to exceed the proper limits. *Pennant's History of the Parishes of Whitford and Holywell. The picture of a beast, A self-murderer, Who drinks to the good health of others Destroys his own, as well as the happiness of those whom he ought to protect, love, & cherish. The intemperate use of spiritous liquors includes, in fact, in its consequences, nearly every evil, physical and moral. It emaciates the body, impairs the strength, stupifies the brain, brings on a train of insidious diseases, which in most instances have a fatal termination; and in all cases shortens the duration of human life. Happy, therefore, is the man, who, with a pleasurable recollection, can say, after he has topped the meridian of life, As in my youth I never did apply Hot and rebellious liquors in my blood; SHAKSPEARE. The celebrated Bishop Berkeley used to call the few who had drank spiritous liquors with impunity for a series of years, the Devil's decoys. In 1642, brandy, it is probable, was not in fashion; |