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A PREACHMENT
ON DRINKING. .
HE idea that men drink only to
quench thirstis erroneous;that is
but one of several reasons. Some
people, taking Time by the fore
lock, drink to prevent themselves
becoming thirsty. In summer,
iced drinks are partaken of for
their cooling effect; in winter,spiced drinks for the
warmth they create. Some drink to drown their sor
row; others, having met with good fortune, because
they are jubilant. Again,certain drinks beget appetite,
while others promote digestion; and both are used
accordingly. Lastly(and these good folk are every
where a majority), there are the people who drink
because they like to. Only those who drink too much
or too little are intemperate, he who steers the middle
course being the truly temperate man—the one whose
conduct fits the meaning of the word. An assembly
of friends on pleasure bent sans drinks and tobacco is
inconceivable;sosay almost all of usi A choice drink
is a mental lubricator,calling forth the jest, awaken
ing mirth,and stimulating eloquence.
Now nothing is more certain than
that a painter, however great his
skill with pencil and brush,if he be
not cunning in the mixing of his
colours is wanting in one ofthe essen
tials of his craft, for lack of which
his other acquirements shall avail
him nought. So also is it with that
other estimable artist, the Concoctor
m