The abuse of a thing is no
argument against its use."
Mrs. Ridley drew upon the arm of her husband. She did not like the
tenor of this conversation, and wanted to get him away. But he was
interested in what the clergyman was saying, and wished to hear what
further he might adduce in favor of the health influence of pure
wine.
"I have always used wine, and a little good brandy too, and am as
free from any inordinate appetite as your most confirmed abstainer;
but then I take especial care to have my liquor pure."
"A thing not easily done," said the clergyman, replying to their
host.
"Not easy for every one, but yet possible. I have never found much
difficulty."
"There will be less difficulty, I presume," returned Mr. Elliott,
"when this country becomes, as it soon will, a large wine producing
region. When cheap wines take the place of whisky, we will have a
return to temperate habits among the lower classes, and not, I am
satisfied, before. There is, and always has been, a craving in the
human system for some kind of stimulus. After prolonged effort there
is exhaustion and nervous languor that cannot always wait upon the
restorative work of nutrition; indeed, the nutritive organs
themselves often need stimulation before they can act with due
vigor. Isn't that so, Dr. Hillhouse?"
And the clergyman addressed a handsome old man with hair almost as
white as snow who stood listening to the conversation.
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