An expose of the causes of intemperate drinking, and the means by which it may be obviated / by Thomas Herttell, of the city of New-York ; published by order of the New-York Society for the Promotion of Internal Improvement.

  • Herttell, Thomas, 1771-1849.
Date:
1819
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An expose of the causes of intemperate drinking, and the means by which it may be obviated / by Thomas Herttell, of the city of New-York ; published by order of the New-York Society for the Promotion of Internal Improvement. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    acting their influence. How ridiculous it is for them, while drinking wine and brandy in the presence of their children, to attempt to persuade them, that it is not good for them ! Should it happen, that in a family of half a dozen sons, there should be a sober man, the merit is his, and not his parents'; nor are they to be pitied, except for their folly, should they all be drunk- ards; and such is frequently the result. Thus, almost every family becomes a school for intemperance, and a nursery of customers for taverns and grog-shops. Again—Inebriating liquors have become the medi- um universally adopted by society for manifesting friendship and good ?vill, one to another. It need on- ly to be mentioned to be admitted, that it is the com- mon practice, when friends or even strangers visit each other, they have scarcely time after being seated, to make the usual inquiries about health, and the common place remarks on the weather, before they are invited to drink intoxicating liquors. The welcome is deemed kind and sincere, in proportion to the frequency, and earnestness of the importunities to drink—liberal in proportion to the variety of the liquors; and their rich- ness and profusion add to the other temptations to drink. Not to offer them would be deemed unfriend- ly, mean or unmannerly. Not to accept them, would be attributed to ill-nature, or a want of politeness. Hence, the visitor drinks to reciprocate good will for the proffered kindness, or in self-defence against the imputation of ill-breeding. And the visited, takes a glass for the company's sake, as it is called; and to evince his satisfaction on seeing his hospitality accept- ed in the spirit in which it is offered. In this way do the laws of fashion and custom constrain people to