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Editorial
February 1, 1792
The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Moralistic editorial denouncing 'tavern-haunters' who waste days drinking, neglect families, and accrue debts. Includes a calculation showing annual losses of over 20 pounds from time and money spent, emphasizing ruinous consequences for self and loved ones. Signed Calumnius Morallus.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THE TAVERN HAUNTERS.
THERE are some men who assume the shape of men, and at the same time, acting in some instances, below the character of men, at least rational men. The first class of these beings I shall take notice of, is the tavern-haunters.--They go to the tavern, perhaps at 8 or 9 o'clock in the morning, intending to return instantly; but they must take their half mug. They tarry until noon--repeat their draughts several times--grow very generous--it is now too late to begin a day's work--there are more days than one--they have the other mug, the other mug, and the other mug. Thus the day and evening is spent until 10 or 11 o'clock, at night when the landlord informs them it is time to clear the house;--they tell him they have no cash by them--he must set it to their accounts, they'll see him paid.--Thus two or three days in a week are often spent in the same manner--their debts accumulate--their wives and children are pining in solitude with grief and poverty--relations and friends anticipating their sudden and unavoidable ruin.--Think then, ye luxurious prodigals, of the tender feelings of a loving wife: Behold her tears, her heart breaking sorrows; she looks round upon her tender offsprings, and they cannot give her delight, she feels for them the pangs of tenderest sympathy, and adds the weight of all their sufferings to her own. How infamous does such a wretch appear in the eyes of all men of sense and prudence?
A calculation.--Suppose two men setting out in the world under equal circumstances, and with equal advantages; one attends his business constantly, the other spends two days at the tavern in a week, and two shillings in a day: The sum of his tavern expenses in one year, amount to ten pounds eight shillings, and his time to as much more, in all, being twenty pounds sixteen shillings; and in ten years would amount to eight hundred pounds, a sum too great to be lost in so scandalous a manner, a sum, if saved, would make himself, his wife and children, comfortable: It would be a protection against infamy, the dun, the sheriff, and the constable.
CALUMNIUS MORALLUS.
THERE are some men who assume the shape of men, and at the same time, acting in some instances, below the character of men, at least rational men. The first class of these beings I shall take notice of, is the tavern-haunters.--They go to the tavern, perhaps at 8 or 9 o'clock in the morning, intending to return instantly; but they must take their half mug. They tarry until noon--repeat their draughts several times--grow very generous--it is now too late to begin a day's work--there are more days than one--they have the other mug, the other mug, and the other mug. Thus the day and evening is spent until 10 or 11 o'clock, at night when the landlord informs them it is time to clear the house;--they tell him they have no cash by them--he must set it to their accounts, they'll see him paid.--Thus two or three days in a week are often spent in the same manner--their debts accumulate--their wives and children are pining in solitude with grief and poverty--relations and friends anticipating their sudden and unavoidable ruin.--Think then, ye luxurious prodigals, of the tender feelings of a loving wife: Behold her tears, her heart breaking sorrows; she looks round upon her tender offsprings, and they cannot give her delight, she feels for them the pangs of tenderest sympathy, and adds the weight of all their sufferings to her own. How infamous does such a wretch appear in the eyes of all men of sense and prudence?
A calculation.--Suppose two men setting out in the world under equal circumstances, and with equal advantages; one attends his business constantly, the other spends two days at the tavern in a week, and two shillings in a day: The sum of his tavern expenses in one year, amount to ten pounds eight shillings, and his time to as much more, in all, being twenty pounds sixteen shillings; and in ten years would amount to eight hundred pounds, a sum too great to be lost in so scandalous a manner, a sum, if saved, would make himself, his wife and children, comfortable: It would be a protection against infamy, the dun, the sheriff, and the constable.
CALUMNIUS MORALLUS.
What sub-type of article is it?
Temperance
Moral Or Religious
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
Tavern Haunters
Excessive Drinking
Moral Ruin
Family Neglect
Prodigals
Tavern Debts
Temperance Calculation
What entities or persons were involved?
Tavern Haunters
Luxurious Prodigals
Wives And Children
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Condemnation Of Tavern Haunters And Excessive Drinking
Stance / Tone
Moral Condemnation And Exhortation
Key Figures
Tavern Haunters
Luxurious Prodigals
Wives And Children
Key Arguments
Tavern Haunters Waste Entire Days Drinking From Morning To Night, Accumulating Debts.
They Neglect Work, Leading To Poverty And Family Suffering.
Wives Endure Heartbreak And Sympathy For Starving Children.
Such Behavior Is Infamous To Sensible Men.
Annual Tavern Expenses And Lost Time Cost Over 20 Pounds, Totaling 800 Pounds In Ten Years.
Saving This Sum Would Ensure Comfort And Protection From Ruin.