BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 54.; 



refolve to conquer It, is the highcfl tcft of a good mind, true courage, 

 and found undcrltanding; in other things, men will pcrfevcre through 

 every difficulty, and fuccced in defiance of every obfracle; nothing- 

 more is required, than the like fpirit of perfeverance and fortitude, to 

 furmount the greateft ills of life, and trample upon thofe diflreffcs, 

 which ceafe to be burthenfome, when we have learned to bear them ; 

 but ever redouble their prefllire upon us, when we bear them with im- 

 patience and timidity. 



Sottiflinefs then and lull being the chief founJers of Its ufe amono thefe Ealten people, whnt 

 opinion are we to form of thofe ladies in our Weftern hemifphere, ivho are bewitched to the fame 

 deteftable cuftoni? It drunkcnnefs is fo difgracetul to the fair fex in particular, they furely ought 

 to 16(161.% that it makes not the Icall ditierence, in point of diihonour, whether they fuddle them- 

 felves with laudanum, or with brandy; neverthelefs, there are too many among them, who, if a 

 dram was to be offered them in public company, would confider it a high affront put upon them, 

 and yet take the firft convenient opportunity to beaftialize themfelves with their favourite liquor, 

 till they are deprived of their reafon, and driven into the mofl incoherent ravings in their conver- 

 fation, and the wildeft extravagancies in their conduft; thus facrificing fenfe, beauty, health, fame, 

 and even virtue, to this pernicious habit. All phyficians agree, that it is exceedingly hurtful to 

 thofe of weak and delicate habits, and brings on prematurely the infirmities of old age; for, among 

 the Eaftern nations, it has been obferved, that fcarcely any, who begin this pra>5^tice while they are 

 young, live to be above fifty. It produces paralytic diforders, andpalfies; hinders digertion, and 

 palls the appetite. It likewife is charged with caufing a relaxation of the lower jaw, and a ilam- 

 niering fpeech; in regard to the latter bad effe»il, I am morally fure, we may afcribe the drawling, 

 faltering pronunciation of many women and men in this ifland, to their exceflive ufe of laudanum. 



In fome cafes, and in the hands of a difcreet phyfician, it is a noble remedy, and particularly in 

 the dillemper called the locked jaw, fo frequent in the Well Indies; and not feldom, as a palliative 

 in the colic, and belly-ache: but thofe perfoiis, who make it apart of their daily diet, receive all the 

 injur}- it is capable of producing; and preclude themfelves from all hopes of relief from it, in thofe 

 maladies, where it might otherwife have proved their certain friend. 



The firm hold which fo horrid a falhion has taken in this ifland is really unaccountable, unlefs 

 we fuppofe that the force of example, and the alluring perfuafion of inveterate female tipplers, 

 have combined with the deluding charms of this Circean draught: 



" Offering to every weary •vijltor 



" Their magk liquor in a cryftal glafs, 



" To quench the drought of Phoebus ; which as they tafle, 



" (For moil do talle through fond, and curious third) 



" Soon as the potion woiks, their huinan count'nance, 



" Th' exprefs refemblance of the gods, is chang'd 



" Into fome brutilh form of wolf, or bear, 



" Or ounce, or tiger, hog, or bearded goat, 



♦' All other parts remaining as they were; 



" And they, fo perfeifl in their mifery, 



•• Not once perceive their foul disfigurement, 



" But boaft themfelves more comely than before, 



•' And all their friends, and native home forget, 



" To roll V, ith pleafure in a fenfual ftye." 



MiLTOX. 



4 A 2 SECT. 



