152 RIVER LIFE. 



the toll-house grog-shop, and baptize them by pouring a quart of 

 rum over their heads. 



Distinctions of grade were lost sight of, and the office of deacon 

 or priest constituted no exemption "pass" against the ordeal, 

 rather the rite profaned. This process of ablution was practiced 

 with such zeal upon their own craft and transient passers-by, that 

 a hogshead of rum was drawn in a short time, running in brooks 

 over the floor. The affair was conducted amid the most boister- 

 ous and immoderate merriment — the more distinguished the can- 

 didate, the more hearty the fun. 



But a change has come over, not the spirit of their dreams, but 

 their practices and estimate of such excesses. I doubt whether 

 any portion of society, or class of men whose intemperate habits 

 were so excessive, and whose excuses, at least for a moderate use 

 of liquor, were so reasonable, can be found where the principles 

 of total abstinence have wrought so thorough and complete a 

 change. Not that the evil is wholly eradicated, for many still 

 continue its use. But it has now been fully demonstrated that 

 men can endure the chilling hardships of river-driving quite as 

 well, and, indeed, far better, without the stimulus of ardent spir- 

 its, and perform more and better-directed labor. 



At the time alluded to, however, more prominence was given 

 to rum as a necessary part of the supplies than to almost any 

 other article. "The first and most important article," says Mr. 

 Todd, of St. Stephen's, N. B., "in all our movements, from the 

 stump in the swamp to the ship's hold, was Rum! Rum !" To 

 show how truly this one idea ran through the minds of the log- 

 gers, I present the following original rum song, illustrating the 

 "spirit of the times," and of the log swamp muse. 



" 'Tis when we do go into the woods, 



Drink round, brave boys! drink round, brave boys! 

 'Tis when we do go into the woods, 

 Jolly brave boys are we ; 



