Drunkenness has sometimes a curious effect upon the memory. Actions
committed during intoxication may be forgotten on a recovery from
this state, and remembered distinctly when the person becomes again
intoxicated. Drunkenness has thus an analogy to dreaming, in which state
circumstances are occasionally brought to mind which had entirely
been forgotten. The same thing may also occur in fevers, wherein even
languages with which we were familiar in childhood or youth, but had
forgotten, are renewed upon the memory and pass away from it again when
the disease which recalled them is removed.
With most people intoxication is a gradual process, and increases
progressively as they pour down the liquor; but there are some
individuals in whom it takes place suddenly, and without any previous
indication of its approach. It is not uncommon to see such persons sit
for hours at the bottle without experiencing any thing beyond a moderate
elevation of spirits, yet assume all at once the outrage and boisterous
irregularity of the most decided drunkenness.
Some drunkards retain their senses after the physical powers are quite
exhausted. Others, even when the mind is wrought to a pitch leading to
the most absurd actions, preserve a degree of cunning and observation
which enables them to elude the tricks which their companions are
preparing to play upon them. In such cases, they display great address,
and take the first opportunity of retaliating; or, if such does not
occur, of slipping out of the room unobserved and getting away. Some,
while the whole mind seems locked up in the stupor of forgetfulness, hear
all that is going on. No one should ever presume on the intoxicated
state of another to talk of him detractingly in his presence. While
apparently deprived of all sensation, he may be an attentive listener;
and whatever is said, though unheeded at the moment, is not forgotten
afterwards, but treasured carefully up in the memory. Much discord and
ill-will frequently arise from such imprudence.
There are persons who are exceedingly profuse, and fond of giving away
their money, watches, rings, &c., to the company. This peculiarity will
never, I believe, be found in a miser: avarice is a passion strong under
every circumstance. Drinking does not loosen the grasp of the covetous
man, or open his heart: he is for ever the same.
The generality of people are apt to talk of their private affairs when
intoxicated. They then reveal the most deeply-hidden secrets to their
companions. Others have their minds so happily constituted that nothing
escapes them. They are, even in their most unguarded moments, secret and
close as the grave.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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