A Settler's 35 Years' Experience in Victoria, Australia: And how £6 8s. became £8,000Hulme, E. (Edward)
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A Settler's 35 Years' Experience in Victoria, Australia: And how £6 8s. became £8,000
Hulme, E. (Edward)
Hulme, E. (Edward), 1818-1904; Immigrants -- Australia -- Biography; Victoria -- Biography
Now, do not let it be understood that I mean to say that no one will
succeed unless they are abstainers; but from my long experience and
extensive observation, it is extremely rare to find those who started
with moderation in intoxicants, can continue so, at least with the
potations in the same quantity or strength; it is almost physically
impossible to do so. Alcohol is a substance that principally exerts
its influence on the nervous system, like opium--a kindred substance.
It creates an artificial appetite or craving, and nervous prostration
is the result, which can only be relieved, in thousands of cases, by
a continued increase in quantity or strength, and a diseased state of
the system is insensibly created. In very many cases moderation is
impossible. No man ever started in life with the intention of being a
drunkard, and if you suggested the possibility of such, he would be
most indignant. Nevertheless, they fall against their will. Neither
do I think any man leaves his home and family with the deliberate
intention of getting drunk, and coming home to abuse those who, in his
sober moments, he treats with affection. If he did so, such a man has
fallen far below the brute creation. Man is simply deluding himself
with this alluring and fascinating "serpent." In fact, "mocked," and
"he that is deceived thereby is not wise." And the true wisdom is to
banish this "curse of the race" from your home, as no one knows how
soon they or someone dear to them, may be drawn into this snare. I
never knew an abstainer but what prospered in this colony, and I have
known hundreds of drinkers "go to the wall." I have not known a single
farmer in this district who planted a vineyard, and made wine, who
has not been "bitten by his own dog," and died prematurely; except
one, and he sold out, but is still a confirmed drunkard. Alas! what
shocking tales I could tell of wasted homes. I have already mentioned
two "drunk out" farms we purchased--premature deaths, violent deaths.
Children turned adrift on the world, sacred and loving ties sundered,
etc., etc., simply from indulgence in this most insidious, useless,
and dangerous habit. However, a brighter day is dawning even for
Australia, which, as yet, is far behind in this glorious movement
of true temperance (temperance in all lawful things). Alcohol is
unlawful, being foreign and destructive to man's physical nature, but
the total abstinence cause is destined also to be the moral salvation
of the world, and the hand-maid and stepping-stone to a religious and
Christian life. And I am happy to say many of our youth are seeing the
advantages and duty of abstinence from intoxicants.
The Vine Industry.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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