A MORAL MODIFICATOR. 155 



activity of men, to civilisation, and, above all, to the de- 

 spatch of public business, the important organization of 

 government." * 



This debased condition of man, so eloquently 

 described by Dr. Levy, is very shocking. The 

 mere vice of alcoholic intemperance has become 

 an object of abhorrence to the advanced mind of 

 Europe. But it is necessary that we should look 

 at all things in every possible aspect, if we wish 

 to obtain right honest conclusions. 



The ancients were certainly more indulgent to 

 the vice of intemperance : at all events they have 

 not much abused it. Many of their philosophers 

 speak of it very complacently. Even the Stoics 

 advised intoxication for the good of the soul : — 



" Hoc quoque virtutum quondam certamine magnum 

 Socratem palmam promeruisse ferunt." 



That censor and corrector of public morals, 

 Cato, was himself unable to resist the soft im- 

 peachments of alcohol : — 



" Narratur et prisci Catonis 

 Ssepe mere caluisse virtus." t 



* Levy, ' Traite d'Hygiene,' ii. 264 et seq. 



* See Montaigne, liv. II. c. ii., Be VYvrognerie. 



