For Dr. Rush had said : " Let good men of every class unite and besiege the general and state governments, with petitions to limit the number of taverns, to impose heavy duties upon ardent spirits, to inflict a mark of disgrace, or a temporary abridgement of some civil right upon every man convicted of drunkenness. * * * Xo aid the operation of these laws, would it not be extremely useful for the rulers

I20 NEW YORK STATE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

of the different denominations of Christian churches to unite and render the sale and consumption of ardent spirits a subject of ecclesiastical jurisdiction?" Such are a few of the characteristic portions of Dr. Rush's famous essay, a work which revived, not only the moral sense of this country, but also of Eng-land, where it was republished in the following year. But the giant of intemperance exhibited no signs of weakness, though he had been undoubtedly pierced in a vital part. The weapon of Dr. Rush had been slim, but keen -- a highly tempered rapier, more effective than in after years was the broad sword of Lyman Beecher's " Sermons on Temperance." With an amiable exterior, the skillful reforming fencer had managed to keep his antagonist off his guard while he transfixed and permanently crippled him. But another mode of attack was necessary in order to bring him under control. To indulge yet further in figurative speech : Dr. Rush had manufactured the ammunition but who was to fire the gun? It is always a pleasure to visit the homes of eminent persons who long since have died. To look upon the scenes that they once beheld ; to walk in the paths that they once trod, is like coming into familiar intercourse with the intimate friend of the honored dead, and we go from the places hallowed by such associations with a sense of having gained almost a personal acquaintance with the great who there have had a habitation.