1903 The Bachelor Book

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

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