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in its various forms, and under its many specious disguises — I could not 

 add a single horror to the damning catalogue of misery and degradation ; 

 and yet, it is a solemn truth, that we do imbibe many poisons, besides alco- 

 hol, when we drink the ordinary wines and distillations, malt liquors, &c. 



And now, admitting that we must drink — or rather, that we will drink 

 ** something to give nature a jog" — had we not better take something 

 not quite so apt to jog us off our balance, and into the grave, after this 

 suicidal fashion ? ' 



We religiously hold to the faith, that the pure juice of the grape, the 

 apple, pear, and some other fruits, properly prepared and fermented, re- 

 fined and ripened, without the addition of any substance whatever, will 

 answer every indication, as an exhilarating beverage, and very seldom 

 either "steal away the senses," or drive a premature nail in the coflBn. 



Now, if I am right in my estimate of the ameliorating tendency of the 

 pure juices of fruits, when contrasted with the effects of our ordinary 

 stimulating drinks, had we not better plant orchards and vineyards, for 

 the production of such agreeable beverages ? 



The experience of the old world favors this opinion ; for, drunkenness 

 is almost unknown amongst the vineyards, while it is in alarming excess 

 where little cider and no wine, but much beer and whiskey are produced. 

 And if we cannot prohibit the greater evil, would it not be a rational 

 policy to supercede it by one of lesser magnitude ? This is a mere spec- 

 ulation, and will not suit either end of the Temperance argument. But 

 truth is sometimes found between extremes, and this idea is certainly 

 worthy of some consideration. 



But I come now to a more pleasing phase of my theme ; one in which 

 I see no questionable point, no lesser evil, no doubtful tendency, but one 

 broad field of truthful nature, purity and moral excellence. And, yet, I 

 shall find few readers, perhaps, ready to adopt my ultra views, simply 

 because the training I advocate, has not fitted the many to comprehend 

 or appreciate them. 



It is of the influence of the beautiful that I would speak — the orna- 

 mental in Horticulture — the beautiful in Nature and Art — especially in 

 reference to the education of the young, and the formation of character, 

 by the early development of the higher, and the natural repression of 

 the lower propensities of our nature. But will our association with 

 physical beauty do this ? "We believe so — measurably at least. All are 

 not born physically equal, and single specifics are as uncommon in edu- 



