leavingfreshdepressionbehindit，andrequiringfreshdosesofstimulant，tillitbecomesahabit，aslavery，amadness。Again，thereisanintellectualsidetothequestion。Thedepressednervousenergy，theimpaireddigestion，depressthespirits。Themanfeelslowinmindaswellasinbody。Whenceshallheseekexhilaration？Notinthatstiflinghomewhichhascausedthedepressionitself。Heknowsnoneotherthanthetavern，andthecompanywhichthetavernbrings；Godhelphim！
Yes，ladiesandgentlemen，itiseasytosay，Godhelphim；butitisnotdifficultformantohelphimalso。Drunkennessisaverycurablemalady。Thelastfiftyyearshasseenitallbutdieoutamongtheupperclassesofthiscountry。Andwhathascausedtheimprovement？
Certainly，inthefirstplace，thespreadofeducation。Everymanhasnowahundredmeansofrationaloccupationandamusementwhichwereclosedtohisgrandfather；andamongthedeadliestenemiesofdrunkenness，wemayclasstheprinting-press，therailroad，andtheimportationofforeignartandforeignscience，whichweowetothelatefortyyears’peace。Wecanfindplentyofamusementnow，besidetheoldoneofsittingroundthetableandtalkingoverwine。Whyshouldnotthepoormanshareinourgain？Butoverandabove，therearecausessimplyphysical。Ourhousesarebetterventilated。Thestiflingoldfour-postbedhasgivenplacetotheairycurtainlessone；andwhatismorethanall——wewash。
ThatmorningcoldbathwhichforeignersconsiderasYoungEngland’sstrangestsuperstition，hasdoneasmuch，believeme，toabolishdrunkenness，asanyothercausewhatsoever。Withacleanskininhealthyaction，andnervesandmusclesbracedbyasuddenshock，mendonotcraveforartificialstimulants。Ihavefoundthat，coeterisparibus，aman’ssobrietyisindirectproportiontohiscleanliness。Ibelieveitwouldbesoinallclasseshadtheythemeans。
Andtheyoughttohavethemeans。Whateverotherrightsamanhas，oroughttohave，thisatleasthehas，ifsocietydemandsofhimthatheshouldearnhisownlivelihood，andnotbeatormentandaburdentohisneighbours。Hehasarighttowater，toair，tolight。Indemandingthat，hedemandsnomorethannaturehasgiventothewildbeastoftheforest。Heisbetterthanthey。