THE CAUSES OF DRUNKENNESS 73 



when actuated by thirst alone, are never drunkards. 

 They prefer the more dilute solutions of alcohol, 

 usually light wines and beers, which contain in 

 greatest abundance the particular constituent they 

 desire — water. Having had enough of the water, 

 they take no more of the flavouring agent — alcohol. 

 In the absence of wine or beer, they can be satisfied 

 with water otherwise flavoured, as with tea or 

 coffee. 



A second class drink intoxicating beverages, not 

 so much from thirst, as for the sake of the flavour- 

 ing agents. They delight in the taste of some 

 solutions of alcohol. They drink, as a girl eats 

 chocolate, to produce a delightful sensation in the 

 mouth. They are generally connoisseurs and 

 drinkers of wines. Very few men toy with beer 

 or spirits, except perhaps as an accompaniment to 

 tobacco, and then only to excite the desire for the 

 latter. The taste of beer and spirits is not 

 sufficiently delightful. The true connoisseur is a 

 wine-drinker. Bad wine disgusts him. Of good 

 wine he prolongs his enjoyment as long as possible, 

 holding it to the light, smelling it, sipping it, rolling 

 it in his mouth and round his palate, in every way 

 getting as much of its beauty, aroma, and taste as 

 he can. Such men, also, are rarely drunkards. 

 A little surfeits them, just as the average girl is 

 surfeited by a moderate amount of chocolate. To 



