THE MORAL STATUS OF ALCOHOL. 391 



To conclude. Alcohol is not so very bad a spirit as it lias 

 been painted. Of it we may say as of fire, that, though a 

 good servant, it is a bad master. Nothing more conclusively 

 proves the compatibility of alcoholic mgestion with the high- 

 est exercise of human thought than the social and convivial 

 history of the British Association. How delightful the alter- 

 nation of dining, debating, dancing, and flirting ! How free 

 the flow of learned language after abundant hock and cham- 

 pagne ! Was ever an Association philosopher caught tripping 

 in his section yet ? It will be time enough to establish the 

 British Association on teetotal principles when some chemist 

 talks about the sweetness of vinegar ; some astronomer about 

 the seventh satellite of Mars ; or some physical geographer, 

 president of a section, introduces Dr. Livingstone fresh from 

 Africa to the audience as < That cel'bwated Am-am-am-er' 

 can trav'-yer !' 



