ODDSPELLS. 25 



quantity. He welcomed friends on their arrival, and dismissed 

 libera on their departure. Hospitality, without an introduction to 

 him, was considered boorish, and he who declined an acquaintance 

 with the master-spirit of the house, was sure to insult the host. 

 He was the patent quack of the world — his nostrums a sovereign 

 balm for all " the ills that flesh is heir to" — would restore to health 

 when sick, and ward off disease — would keep in the heat in win- 

 ter and keep it out in summer — would induce to sleep when neces- 

 sary, and when necessary drive it away. He was the rewarder of 

 every trifling service W'hich had no pecuniary value — the solace ol 

 ithe idle and the companion of the laborious — helped prepare the 

 idiscourses for the pulpit and then inspired a mighty eloquence in 

 their delivery. While robbing the poor of their last cent and 

 finding them out in eternal servitude, he made them believe they 

 were richer than Croesus. Soldiers, under his command, were " in- 

 pxicated into valor," 



** And their hearts, though stout and brave, 

 Still, like muffled drums, were beating 

 Funex-al marches to the grave." 



j'Age, with his white locks and tottering frame — manhood, in 

 lis fullest strength — youth, in his freshest bloom, and beauty in 

 ler sweetest charms," were all stricken down together, by this 

 nhuman spoiler of the race and great ally of death. 



But, thanks to an enlightened humanity, to labors of the bene- 

 actors of their race, to sterling common-sense, and, above all, to 

 he blessings of an over-ruling Providence, the progress of this 

 lighty evil has been stayed, and the farmers of our country de- 

 erve no little credit for their agency in the good work. The im- 

 rovement among them is manifest. It has been found that the fruits 

 ■f the earth can be better cultivated, turn out more abundantly, and, 

 fhen ready for the garner, can be more securely gathered in, 

 mhout the aid of this unnatural and noisy co-laborer — this ex- 

 iting god, the sacrifices at whose shrine are, loss of sense, and 

 amage to the farmer's estate. It is not, as it used to be, so much 

 le custom to pour out libations of manufactured poisons at his 

 jirine. And the result has been, increased prosperity, better 

 2altb, clear heads, stronger and steadier arms, constitutions better 



VOL. 11. — NO. I. D 



