When we see a man, possessed of a fortune of five hundred pounds a year, living at the rate of two thousand pounds a year, our veracity would not be called in question if we ventured to declare that he was on the Road to Ruin. The spendthrift who frequently makes application to usurers, and purchases the use of money by extravagant douceurs, premiums, or discounts, may justly be said to be a traveller on the same high-way. When any one becomes an abject slave to his bottle; we need not scruple to pronounce, that he is staggering into this much frequented road. If a young girl, innocent in herself, should too credulously hearken to the enamoured tale of the deceiver, it is more than probable that she may be seen tripping upon this too general high-way. When a lady has private recourse to ardent liquor, whether affliction or any other cause may have induced her to become acquainted with it, she seldom fails to be a passenger in this thronged avenue. When a person, afflicted with disease, seeks relief in quackery, he may truly be said to be galloping upon this road. It is seldom indeed that any advantages or emoluments are derived by travellers in the Road to Ruin. Holcroft and Harris, as toll-gatherers on that road, have doubtless been benefited by it. * * * * * * * * * _For the +New-York Weekly Magazine+._ * * * ON SEGAR SMOAKING. There is nothing, perhaps, more pernicious, or more destructive to the health of man, than the present practice of _segar smoaking_. It is of all others the most disagreeable, as well as the most obnoxious thing in use. It may, no doubt, be thought by our _bucks_ who are its votaries, a mark of gentility, or an accomplishment. Admitting then for a moment, the truth of this remark; yet which of these _champions_ of folly will declare, when seriously reflecting, that he would rather sacrifice his health and happiness, _than_ the gratification (if I may be permitted to use the expression) of _drawing_ to such a _filthy_ twist? There are none, however strenuous advocates they may appear for the fashions, still their own comfort will be consulted before that _mad passion_ which will finally _contaminate_ their blood beyond a purification. Let them further consider, that _nothing_, however fashionable, can receive the approbation of their companions, if offensive, and that _segar smoaking_, when practiced in company (as is often the case) is an unpardonable insult. The smell conveyed from one of those _infected_ things, is sufficient very often to poison persons within the limits of a room.