1d2  DHIRTERRTH EVEN IWe.

without leaving any moisture behind. ‘hen, it is miuci.
lighter than water, and that affords another way ot
judging of its strength. A hollow ivory ball is set to
swim in it; and the deeper it sinks down, the lighter,
and therefore the more spirituous, is the liquor.

G. I have heard much of the mischief done by
spirituous liquors—pray what good do they do ?

Z. The use and abuse of wine and spirits, is a very
copious subject; and there is scarcely any gift of
human art, the general effects of which are more
dubious. You know what wine is said to be given
for in the Bible P

G. To make glad the heart of man.

f. Right. And nothing has such an immediate
effect in inspiring vigour of body and mind as wine.
It banishes sorrow and care, recruits from fatigue,
enlivens the fancy, inflames the courage, and performs
a hundred fine things, of which I could bring you
abundant proof from the poets. The physicians, too,
speak almost as much in its favour, both in diet and
medicine. But its really good effects are only when
used in moderation: and ib unfortunately is one of
those things which wan can hardly be brought to use
moderately. Excess in wine brings on effects the very
contrary to its benefits. Tt stupifies and enfeebles the
mind, and fills the body with incurable diseases. And
this it does even when used without intoxication, But
a drunken man loses for the time every distinction of a
reasonable creature, and becomes worse than 2 brute
beast. On this account, Mahomet entirely forbade its
use to his followers, and to this day 16 is not publicly
drunk in any of the countries that receive the Maho«
metan religion.

H. Was not that right ?

Z. I think not. If we were entirely to renounce
everything that may be misused, we should have
scarcely any enjoyments left; and it isa proper exer.
cise of our strength of mind, to use good things with