The bases of the temperance reform: an exposition and appeal./ With replies to numerous objections. By Rev. Dawson Burns.

22 Th,e Drinkiizg Systemi our Chief Social Evil.
by this kind of expenditure, while a different expenditure
would enable a far larger number of persons to be supported without suffering to the state. (2.) There is the
notion that health and strength are promoted by "the
proper and moderate" use of drink-a rule of use which
has never been defined; and a notion which will be
shown, in future pages of this work, to be founded in
delusion. (3.) We may be reminded of the "pleasure"
excited by the use of alcohol, whether as a means of personal gratification, or of social and convivial entertainmnent. But in this species of pleasure lies the source of
the moral peril against which all philosophy and religion
warn; the pleasure and peril increasing with equal pace.
The pleasure arises from the abnormal excitement of the
nervous system, and, therefore, when it is keenest,
insures a corresponding reaction. It is a pleasure, also,
which is only obtained by rendering the senses less susceptible of delight from natural objects, so that, even physically speaking, the abstainer, as compared with the
non-abstainer, has a larger sum of "pleasure" during
life.* It is a pleasure, too, which, in the case of multitudes, is dearly bought at the loss of pure and permanent
happiness which, by a different outlay of drink-money,
might have been derived from intellectual and moral
sources.t
* Dr. James Johnson, physician to William IV., and original editor of the
Medico-Chzirurgical Review, has said-" There can be no question that water
is the best and only drink which nature has designed for man. The waterdrinker glides tranquilly through life, without much exhilaration or depression, and escapes many diseases to which otherwise he would be subject.
.. The balance of enjoyment turns decidedly in favor of the waterdrinker, leaving out his temporal prosperity and future anticipations; and the
nearer we keep to his regimen, the happier we shall be."-(Civic Life and
Sedentary Habits. i8I8.)
t Dr. Samuel Johnson, who owned that he found relief from mental oppression and gloom by abstinence of wine, said, "Wine gives us light, gay, ideal
hilarity"; and he observed, on arguing on wine-drinking," Wine makesa
man better pleased with himself, but the danger is that while a man grows
better pleased with himself, he may be growing less pleasing to others." The