Eating, Drinking^ and Sleeping, 249 



Having said thus much on the subject of wine-drinking, 

 both as it relates to health and conviviality, it seems incum- 

 bent on us to take some notice of the stronger 'potations re- 

 sorted to in this country, by the middling and lower orders of 

 society, in the joyous hilarity of public rejoicings, or the gay 

 festivity of private merry-making*. Some ** cordial drop'* is 

 required 5 and spirits being cheaper and stronger than wine, 

 are resorted to in the shape of grog — rum-punch — or toddy. 



Now, though we would, if we could, laud — like the philoso- 

 phers and poets of old — good wine, and would gladly take our 

 share of it, with the philosophers and poets of the present day, 

 yet we feel very dijQferently concerning dram-drinking. We 

 are no advocates for the votaries of that power, who, of all 

 the fabled divinities, treats his followers with most unkindness ; 

 who repays their libations with malady, their songs with de- 

 grading infirmities, their triumphs with defeat. 



*' Of all the contrivances to exclude the intruding demon 

 Ennui from the mind of man, the most debasing and destruc- 

 tive is, the use of intoxicating liquors ; that pernicious habit 

 blunts all desire of improvement, deadens emulation, obscures 

 the understanding, sinks the soul into sluggishness, renders 

 men insensible to the love of reputation, familiarizes them 

 with the idea of contempt, and extinguishes every enjoyment, 

 but that maudlin delirium excited by spirituous liquors, which 

 soon hurries them to their graves." 



PUNCH. 

 Punch was first made by the English at Nemle, near Goa, 

 where they have the JYepa die Goa, commonly called arrack. 



* Sir Joseph Banks used to tell a story of his being at Otaheite with 

 Capt. Cook, when it was accidentally discovered to be the King's birth- 

 day, on which it was suddenly agreed to have a jollification ; every soul 

 on' board got fuddled, except three men who were on duty. The next 

 day they came on deck, and hegged to speak to the captain. ** Well," 

 said the captain, " what have you got to say ?" " Please your honour, 

 you were all drunk yesterday, all except we three ; will your honour be 

 pleased to allow us to get drunk to-day ?" Sir Joseph, who was standing 

 by, was so tickled with the oddity of the request, that he begged they 

 might be indulged, and that he would subscribe two bottles of rum, and 

 two bottles of brandy. The boon was granted, and in less than three 

 hours, these messmates balanced accounts, being as drunk as their hearts 

 could wish. 



