Various

“ The upper classes of society never follow the examples of the lower: but the latter do, as far as they are able, imitate the customs of the former. Had the habit of intemperance originated in the lower class, it would not, in all probability, have extended beyond it. As its prevalence is so general as to become a reproach to the nation, the inference is conclusive, that it is the progeny of higher parentage than grog-shops."
"The radical sources of the evil" says judge Herttell, "are in the fashions, customs, and examples, of what are called the upper or wealthy classes of the community." ”

“ It is hoped that the good sense of the community will operate to abolish the custom of giving extravagant entertainments, on any occasion, in honour of distinguished characters. This practice, by leading many to taverns, and tempting them to indulge freely, is productive of more mischief than benefit to society. As an example, it is bad. People, in the lower walks of life, cannot be taught, that it is wrong to get drunk in company with, and out of mere good humour to their friends, while they see too many of the upper circles retire from those feasts, not exactly sober. ”

“ The practice is continued by the frequent display of hospitality and politeness, through the medium of ardent drink. The acquired habit, shows itself on holy-days, at dining and other parties, and on all convivial occasions—is pursued at taverns, and at last, descends to, and terminates its career at grog-shops. Look at the catalogue of family misfortunes, and few will be found to have escaped the direful disease of intemperance; few which have not had their prosperity and happiness blighted by the extreme of that vice, in some one or more of their members. ”

“ Whether the result of education and early associations, or derived immediately from Nature herself, there is excited in every bosom possessed of sensibility, a sensation of awe and veneration, when approaching the mansions of the dead. ”

“ It is usual in the country towns, to muster the militia at or in the immediate vicinity of taverns. This practice tends neither to improve the morality or discipline of the men—and if they must continue as now to be mustered at those places or not mustered at all, I have no hesitation in saying, that the public would sustain no material injury, should the latter course be adopted; for it is certainly true, and the reason is obvious, that many of the men, at the close of their exercise on those parade days, are not so well qualified to serve their country, as when they come to the rendezvous. ”

“ Julia Manners and Emma Harwood were near neighbours, and lived on terms of close intimacy. Julia was unconcealing, generous, and frank; free in her expressions, and warm in all her feelings. Emma was amiable and correct, but jealous of her dignity; and rather eager in listening to the opinions of others respecting her. Such a disposition always finds some one ready to gratify it; and Emma heard much to excite her jealousy, and alarm her pride. ”

“ It is the peculiar province of genius to render prolific the most sterile soil, to invest with interest the most intractable topic, and to mould into the form of beauty the most unpromising materials. ”

“ I am aware of the force and truth of some of Stella's observations; and will endeavour occasionally to profit by them. Though considerably advanced in the vale of years, I hope never to be insensible to the good opinion of that sex, which can successfully prefer claims to excellence, in every department of virtue; and whose influence on the well-being of society, is so incalculably important. What if my temples be encircled with the frosts of many winters, and the wings of my fancy be enfeebled, by that incurable malady, old age ”

“ This serves to degrade the honourable calling of mechanics, which suffers another depression from the necessity which these circumstance create, of taking apprentices from the lower circles of society, whose want of the requisite education disqualifies them for attaining an adequate knowledge of their trade. In addition to this, the master mechanic, growing wealthy by his business, too often becomes infected with the follies and fashions of upper life—in which sphere some are fitted only to appear ridiculous. ”

“ Who does not delight to behold the verdant hillock, which designates the spot, where the remains of a dear friend or relative are deposited, decorated with vernal beauty, and alike protected from the withering inroads of neglect, and the rude approach of violence? There is a chord in every feeling heart, which vibrates in unison with the magic touch of memory when delineating in vivid colours, some departed object of our love and affection. ”

“ Vegetables may be regarded as the intermediate link in the great chain of creation, between animals and minerals. The latter grow by mere chymical affinity, and by additions, sometimes analogous and sometimes foreign from their own nature; while plants, like animals, have an organization that enables them to receive their food, digest and assimilate it to their own substance, reproduce their species, and maintain an existence of longer or shorter duration. ”

“ On another occasion, I have mentioned, and will here repeat, that the baleful practice of giving ardent liquor to labourers, ought to be exploded. This custom has so powerfully aided other causes of intemperance, that there is scarcely to be found among the labouring class, any who do not drink, and drink too much. It is unquestionably owing, in a great measure, to this, that the apprentices to many mechanical branches, are initiated into the habit of intemperance, before they acquire a knowledge of their trade ”

“ He whose object is to make an impression on the public mind, must first, as an indispensable preliminary, secure the public attention. Much that is said or written, partakes in so great a degree of an unimpressive and a common-place character, as to be utterly disregarded. To succeed in obtaining the public ear, is as difficult as it is important. ”

“ What is this food that gives to plants their developement, and maturity, and powers of reproduction? Lord Bacon believed that water was the source of vegetable life, and that the earth was merely its home, its habitation, serving to keep plants upright, and to guard them against the extremes of heat and cold. Tull, on the other hand, (and after him Du Hamel) pronounced pulverized earth the only pabulum of plants, and on this opinion built his system of husbandry. ”

“ When I observe how strong is our propensity for scandal, and with what greediness evil-speaking is listened to, I cannot help wishing that there were such a tribunal in every one's bosom. Did it exist, or rather did we suffer the voice which there speaks, to be heard; we should often be humbled at its decisions. If we unmask our actions and our motives, we shall find this propensity at the bottom of much of what is called—virtuous indignation. At one time, it assumes the mock appearance of charity ”

“ That more die of disorders occasioned by drinking, before they become drunkards, than live to extend their intemperance to that extreme. That the constant exercise of the labouring class, procrastinates, while the want of exercise tends to facilitate the fatal effects of intemperance in the other class of society—and hence it is, that the moderate drinking, as it is modestly termed, of the latter, destroys at least as many as the drunkenness of the former, and in that ratio is as injurious to the community. ”

“ You have embarked in an honourable undertaking, and one in which very few have been successful. You should profit, not merely by the wisdom of those that have gone before you, but also by their mistakes. I have read your two first numbers; and unless some improvement shall take place, either in your matter or manner, you will never be a favourite of mine.—There is too much unvaried gravity, and studied elaboration, in them.—When we take up a newspaper, or magazine, we do not expect to meet with a sermon, however well disposed we might be to welcome it on a proper occasion. ”

“ If the other course is pursued, and the use of the liquor interdicted to the children, while the parents daily drink it in their presence, he is very little acquainted with human nature, who does not know, that the value of the article is thereby arbitrarily enhanced—the disposition to enjoy it increased,—and, that as soon as the restraints of the parents are removed, and an opportunity presents, the forbidden fruit will be tasted, with as much avidity as if both conscience and justice demanded satisfaction for lost time and pleasures. ”

“ Most of our readers will probably recollect the amiable and enterprising Elizabeth Fry, who has been for some time past, like the celebrated Howard, engaged in visiting the prisons of England. The peculiarity of the undertaking, for a female, and her unexpected success in drawing the attention of the wretched objects of her care, to something like their native dignity, have excited much interest in the public mind. ”

“ The customers of coffee houses, hotels, and other taverns, and the sideboards and wine-cellars of private houses, prove the truth of this position. The landlords of those establishments would take it in dudgeon, to be told that their customers were of the lowest grade of society; and the proprietors of well stored sideboards and wine-cellars, would be highly offended at the imputation of drinking, or learning to drink, at grog-shops. If the practice of tippling was confined to the lower order of society, it could not with any propriety be regarded as a national sin. ”

“ Intemperance, the reigning sin of the nation, will go on 'increasing to increase,' till immorality, spreading far and wide, shall debase the people, corrupt their rulers, and destroy the liberties of our country. ”

“ Economy of Nature.—In the sunshine vegetables decompose the carbonic acid gas of the atmosphere, the carbon of which is absorbed, and becomes a part of their organized matter, but the oxygen gas, the other constituent is given off; thus the economy of vegetation is made subservient to the general order of the system of nature. Again, Carbonic acid gas is formed in the respiration of animals, and as yet no process is known in nature by which it can be consumed, except vegetation. ”

“ The effect of strong drink, is to excite the animal spirits to a preternatural action.—When taken by a person in full health, it raises the animal spirits above the healthy standard. This is unnecessary—and inasmuch as it creates a deviation from a state of real health, it produces disease, and hence its use is immoderate, intemperate. ”

“ By the present mode the corn stalks are almost wholly lost, and a great proportion of the straw trodden under foot in the barn-yards. One benefit that would result from the change of feeding, and which must be obvious to every one, would be its enabling every farmer to keep a larger stock; and thus increase his manure,—the grand secret, after all is said, in farming well, and doing it to advantage.
If it is alleged that my calculation of hay is too high, it may be observed, that the shorts are also estimated at a price higher than they often command in the Philadelphia market. ”

“ Being always visible, they would act continually as a stimuli to urge others to emulate the honourable course by which they were acquired;—whereas, those public entertainments are scarcely noticed beyond the day they are puffed in the newspapers—and if they were, the honoured guest could derive no great satisfaction in the reflection, that his friends had eaten and drank immoderately, in honour of his virtues. ”

“ One class of society imitates the practice of another, and habitual drunkenness has become the stigma and disgrace of our country.
The pamphlet before us, remarks (page 6) that "the existence of this vice is now generally acknowledged, its progress marked, and its effects deplored. It is traced to the grog-shop where many of its most degrading effects are discovered, and mistaken for causes, and the remedy attempted to be applied." ”

“ The meetings of self-created societies at taverns, cannot, perhaps, at all times, be well avoided. There doubtless are many of those institutions which are useful—but that there are many which do more hurt than good, is equally true. They ought, indeed, to be productive of great benefit, to counterbalance the evil tendency they have, to draw their members to taverns at night. ”

“ Instead of that simplicity and Spartan brevity, by which republicans should be distinguished, we habituate ourselves to the unnecessary use of a multitude of words. We are giants in profession, but pigmies in action. It has been confidently asserted, that the speeches of one of the members of our federal legislature, from Tennessee, have actually cost the United States more money, than would defray the entire expense of completing the Delaware and Chesapeake canal. [122] Now that the Missouri discussion is terminated, how honourable to the nation, it is not my present purpose to inquire ”

“ Lord Kaimes attempted to revive the expiring creed of Lord Bacon, but finding from Hales' statics, that one third of the weight of a green pea was made up of carbonic acid, he added air to the watery aliment of the English philosopher—but entirely rejected oil and earth, as too gross to enter the mouths of plants, and salt as too acrid to afford them nourishment. Quackery, which at one time or other, has made its way into all arts and sciences, could not easily be excluded from agriculture. ”

“ Large rakes with chains moved by an invisible power, stir to the very bottom the immense mass of malt in boilers 12 feet deep; elevators which nobody touches, carry up to the summit of the building 2500 bushels of malt a day, thence distributed through wooden channels to the different places where the process is carried on.—Casks of truly gigantic sizes are ready to receive the liquors. ”

“ Under such circumstances, how vain is it to hope that children will not acquire the habit of intemperance—and how weak is it to wonder at their becoming drunkards! Parents can hardly be said to have arrived to years of discretion, who shall expect that their admonitions against intemperance will be heeded, while their daily example is counteracting their influence. ”

“ On this point two opinions exist—the one, that this liquid is a solvent and conductor of alimentary juices: the other, that is itself an aliment and purveyor of vegetable food at the same time. The first opinion is abundantly established. Water when charged with oxygen, supplies to germinating seeds the want of atmospheric air, and saturated with animal or vegetable matter in a state of decomposition, or slightly impregnated with carbonic acid, very perceptibly quickens and invigorates vegetation. The second opinion is favoured by some of De Saussure's experiments. ”

“ I have taken no pains to ascertain the authority by which retailers of ardent drink are permitted to fix stands and booths at the Park and other places, on days of public parade and festivity. The concentrating of so many grog-shops at times and places [138] of the greatest collection of people, tends rather to produce tumult and confusion, than to preserve good order. ”