Half A Century Ago

Among Americana up to 1855 the use and abuse of strong drink were almost universal, but it certainly affected their health less injuriously than at the present time. The worry and strain of modern business and social life shatter nerves now and lead to dram drinking to repair them. On the contrary, most of the exces&es in the oíd times carne after a solid dinner, and three or four hours were spent in rest and conviviality, bnt the amount drank was enormous. When the exchange was completed, in 1832, a dinner was given, and there was some apprehension that the wine would ron out, and a well known broker on the committee expressed his surprise, as the company had not averaged more than three bottles apiece. This would be thought a very large allowance of strong Madeira in these times. In 1858 the final audit of the accounts of the United States bank was completed, and on behalf of the government James A. Bayard of Delaware, John M. Masón and a Kentucky gentleman named Dukes appeared. It was a mere formality, as the matter had been settled ten years bef ore. John Young acted as clerk. The party met in the northwest chamber of the bank building - now the custom house - at 11 o'clock. A bottle of brandy and six of Madeira were on the table, and after a short inspection of papers the wine was opened, and by 1 o'clock was drank. The day was warm, and a bowl of bishop was ordered, and this was made by the seryant with the brandy and a flask of Curacoa This was drank, and the three committeemen went to dine with Charles ,J. Ingersoll about 5 o'clock. They returned, bringing a friend. A dozen Madeira were at hand, and smoking, drinking and whist were in order until 12, when the last bottle was drank, and then Prosser, the cook, brought in cold ducka and a mighty lobster solad. A gallon bowl of brandy punch ■was m;;de as conduciré to digestión. A himbler of th's flnished the cferk, who went to sleep and was arouEOd at daybreak to dxixik a cup of coffee, and then ■■■.:! went down the steps and waïkwl av..y in the fresh morniug air, none the woro iu appearanee trom the u.srhr's pot:itions. It is app.u'euc -..., uj aliso like thiü it was the f.urvivai jf the iltiest. ïhe steady ones carried ciT the Ihjüwvs, Lmt gout, gravel and drop'ï-y pluyed havoo with the öth"rs, aua rhese complai.nts werecluu'ged to port and Madeira by tlio doctors, and so the habit of drintóug claret and light wines came into f ashion. Gambling was almost universal, and many fortunes of old Philadelphiuns