Memoirs of Erasmus Darwin, M. D. 45 



nlcal diseases arise. The antient story of Prometheus, who 

 concealed in his bosom the fire he had stolen, and afterwards 

 had a vulture perpetually gnawing his side, affords so apt an 

 allegory for the effects of drinking spirituous liquors, that 

 one is induced to think the art of distillation had been known 

 in times of great antiquity : for the swallowing drams can- 

 not be better represented in hieroglyphic language than by 

 taking fire into one's bosom ; and certain it is, that the ge- 

 neral effect of drinking spirituous or fermented liquors is an 

 inflamed scirrhous, or paralytic liver, with its various cri- 

 tical or consequential diseases, as leprous eruptions on the 

 face, gout, dropsy, epilepsy, insanity. It is remarkable that 

 all the diseases from drinking spirituous or fermented liquors 

 are liable to become hereditary even to the third generation, 

 gradually increasing, if the cause be continued, till the fa- 

 mily becomes extinct. — Such are Dr. Darwin's sentiments. 



He now was sought after even from a distance, and co- 

 lonel and Mrs. Pole, of Radburn, Derbyshire, in 1 778, came 

 purposely to Lichfield for the recovery of their children, who 

 were suspected of being in a decline after the hooping-cough. 

 Mrs. Pole was then in the full bloom of her youth and 

 beauty. Agreeable features ; the glow of health; a fasci- 

 nating smile; a fine form, tall and graceful; playful spright- 

 liness of manners ; a benevolent heart and maternal affec- 

 tion, in all its unwearied cares and touching tenderness, 

 contributed to inspire Dr. Darwin's admiration, and to se- 

 cure his esteem. Soon after she left Lichfield with her re- 

 novated little ones, their restorer sent to his friend Mr, 

 Bolton, of Birmingham, the following directions for making 

 a tea-vase, -designed as a present from the doctor to Mrs. 

 Pole. 



Friend Bolton, take these Ingots fine 



From rich Potosi's sparkling mine ; 



With your nice art a tea-vase mould. 



Your art, more valu'd than the gold. 



With orient pearl, in letters white, 



Around it, " To the Fairest," write j 



And, where proud Radburn's turrets rise. 



To bright Eliza send the pri^e. 



