rity and injustice of the stigma attached to perhaps no very censurable degree of self indulgence. According to the homely proverb, "a man may as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb ;" and he that gets no credit for moderation, is very apt to plunge into excess. But you, gentle ladies, have improved upon this unjustifiable severity. What are the fulminations of any body of he-creatures to your terrible Malthusian determination--your fearful resolution to put a stop either to the consumption of ardent spirits, or to any increase in the census? The legislature ought to look to it: the only comfort is, that reasonable doubts may be entertained of the practicability of your scheme; for it scarcely "stands within the prospect of belief” that hearts will be torn asunder and deep-rooted affections dissevered upon the discovery of the swain's having incautiously taken off a tumbler of brandy and water! It is barely possible that you will have the firmness of nerve to really discard him for evermore for such a transgression, giving him mournful occasion to exclaim with the poet- "Alas! how slight a cause may move Bethink you, too, what a glorious inquisitorial system you will establish for the amusement of maiden aunts and bosom friends, who will be for ever on the alert to crush your schemes of happiness in the bud by instituting unceasing and unrelenting inquiries for the purpose of establishing the important fact of your beloved having swallowed improper compounds. And what a truly original foundation you will lay for the exercise of the talents of the future native novelist, who, in copying real life, will doubtless frequently have to detail such scenes as the following: "Henry unexpectedly entered the room, and to his utter surprise and dismay found Laura literally steeped in tears. Her eyes, which were red with weeping, formed a curious contrast to the ashy paleness of her cheeks; and, although it was long past the hour of dinner, she had yet her morning gown on, her hair was still in paper, and every thing about her spoke of sorrow and desolation and utter disregard of personal appearances. "Henry approached, and by a 'regular series of tender solicitations and delicate assiduities, sought to win from her the cause of her distress. But vain and fruitless were his manifold endeavors. For a quarter of an hour she spoke not-listened not, to him whose every word had heretofore been a charm-a spell to hang and dwell upon. At length her grief found vent in an audible torrent of exclamations and interrogatories— "And can you, Henry--you who are the sole author of my misery, pretend ignorance?-you, who have blighted all my young hopes of happiness;--you, who have betrayed my trusting affection--you who have-' "Me!' exclaimed the now really alarmed youth, 'what the deuce have I done?' "And do you ask?-you who have created an insuperable barrier to our union,-you who have placed a chasm between us that can never be overleapt a bar that can never be taken down--a-' "Good heavens! what have I done?' "You have,' sobbed the agitated girl, almost choked with contending emotions, drunk a gin-sling!' "I know it; and what of that?' you have "Unthinking, cruel man! by so doing you have wrecked my peace of mind for ever, and lost yourself the most affectionate and devoted of wives. Did I not tell you-answer me-Saturday fortnight,that I had become a member of the Auxiliary Branch Anti-marrying-young-men-who-drinkardent-spirits Society-that I have vowed,'" &c. Then what a climax will the reconciliation scene be "And you solemnly promise that you will never hereafter drink a mint julep?" "Never!" "Or brandy-punch?' "Never!' "Or whiskey-toddy?" "Never, never!' "Or a gin-sling?' "Oh! never !' "I am satisfied! We may yet be happy!'" And seriously, my dears, do you expect that any rational; sensible, spirited man-any man in fact worth having, is going to submit to have his judgment impugned, and his discretion and self-command rated so low, as to be required to bind himself by oaths and vows to refrain from what he does not consider wrong? But I submit it to your candor and good sense, whether the moderate and occasional use of stimulating liquors is so dangerous and pernicious as it is the fashion to think, or affect to think, they are. I include wine, of course; for the non-prohibition of wine by temperance societies is one of their most objectionable features; it is a partial and one-sided exemption to gain the countenance of the wealthy and influential. The rich man seeks the stimulus within his reach-the poor man does no more; the aim and end of both is excitement, and the difference in the means and effect is so trivial in taking a general view of the subject, that it is scarcely worthy consideration. But if the rules and regulations of such societies lean favorably towards the rich and affluent, there are higher and more impartial authorities which do not. "It is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those who be of heavy hearts." I do not here wish to cast the slightest imputation of hypocrisy, or impute unworthy motives to the friends and organizers of temperance societies. I believe many of them to be just and good men, ardently desirous of promoting the happiness of their fellowcreatures; but I do think that they in many cases mistake the means, and in all attempt too much. At the same time, doubtless, there are many amongst them, who, from a natural distaste, for wine or spirits, or from possessing a weak or debilitated constitution, which imperatively forbids their indulging therein, make a virtue of necessity, and take credit to themselves for an enforced forbearance. And it is a curious feature in human nature, that those |