In assembling a collection of books about the beverage alcohol industry, the Seagram Museum attempted to acquire materials illustrative of the attitudes of society towards drinking and the social conditions surrounding the consumption of alcohol.
Since the latter part of the eighteenth century, consumption of alcohol has been the focus of disagreement among many groups in society.
Temperance movements were dedicated to the moderation, or in some cases complete abstinence in the use of intoxicating liquor. When efforts to legally prevent the manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcoholic beverages were organized, "prohibition" resulted in many countries. This method of liquor control was most often aimed at preventing alcoholism and thus removing a social, physical, and economic harm from society.
"Extracts from Benjamin Rush's Inquiry into the Effects of Ardent Spirits upon the Human Body and Mind." Philadelphia: Published by the Tract Association of Friends. Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a prominent nineteenth century medical doctor and politician. However, he is best remembered for his efforts on behalf of temperance and his original work--called a "masterpiece"--was a radical challenge to the traditional dictum that drinking was a positive good. The pamphlet seen here was one of the several dozen which appeared after the original publication in 1785 of Rush's An Inquiry into the Effects of Ardent Spirits on the Human Mind and Body. Although Rush had no concern with wine and beer, he felt that the consumption of distilled liquor over time could be lethal and he was the first American to call chronic drunkenness a distinct disease. Later generations of temperance workers would come to call Benjamin Rush the "father" of the temperance movement.
Land, Labor and Liquore (1887) by Rev. William Burgess. Both Burgess' and Thomas McMurray's early Canadian works on temperance used unique methods to convince readers of the potential ill effects of alcohol consumption. Rev. William Burgess used a number of tables and graphs, as seen above.
Temperance Lectures (1873) by Thomas McMurray. Both Burgess' and Thomas McMurray's early Canadian works on temperance used unique methods to convince readers of the potential ill effects of alcohol consumption. Thomas McMurray used poems, as seen above.
"The Worship of Bacchus a Great Delusion. Illustrated By Drawings, Diagrams, Facts and Figures." London: James Clarke & Co. and at the Office of the United Kingdom Band of Hope, 1876. The several illustrations in this book attempted to educate the reader on the causes and consequences of "drunkenness."
"The Worship of Bacchus a Great Delusion. Illustrated By Drawings, Diagrams, Facts and Figures." London: James Clarke & Co. and at the Office of the United Kingdom Band of Hope, 1876. The several illustrations in this book attempted to educate the reader on the causes and consequences of "drunkenness."
"A Second Thousand of Temperance Anecdotes, Jokes, Riddles, Puns & Smart Sayings, Suitable for Speakers, Penny Readings & Recitations' by William Kirton. London and Otley: William Walker & Sons. William Kirton says in the preface to this book that because his "First Thousand of Temperance Anecdotes" proved so successful and useful, he decided to follow it up with another. Arranged under a series of headings, the anecdotes were intended for the use of speakers on the topic of temperance. Under the heading of riddles are included the following: -What port is sought by every living creature? Sup-port. -Why is the best article of malt liquor like the last piece of music in a concert program? Because it is the fine ale (Finale). -When the young Queen of Portugal lately asked her husband at dinner what wine he preferred, what did he answer? Port- you-gal. -Why are the lips of a drunkard like good leather? Because they are water-proof.
"Distilled Spirituous Liquors the Bane of the Nation: Being Some Considerations Offered To The House of Commons" by Thomas Wilson. London: For J. Roberts, 1736. Thomas Wilson's essay on temperance is followed by his description of the effect of "spirituous liquors" on the human body. There are numerous references to America and the effects of rum upon the Indians "... rum, which destroys multitudes in America, and has even depopulated whole countries of Native Indians." He further describes a 1701 meeting on the topic as follows: "When the Sachems or chiefs of the Five NATIONS of the Mohawks were in England about twenty-five years ago... they earnestly in treated [sic] that no rum be sold to their people in the future because it made them mad, ungovernable and actually killed great number of them."
"Distilled Spirituous Liquors the Bane of the Nation: Being Some Considerations Offered To The House of Commons" by Thomas Wilson. London: For J. Roberts, 1736. Thomas Wilson's essay on temperance is followed by his description of the effect of "spirituous liquors" on the human body. There are numerous references to America and the effects of rum upon the Indians "... rum, which destroys multitudes in America, and has even depopulated whole countries of Native Indians." He further describes a 1701 meeting on the topic as follows: "When the Sachems or chiefs of the Five NATIONS of the Mohawks were in England about twenty-five years ago... they earnestly in treated [sic] that no rum be sold to their people in the future because it made them mad, ungovernable and actually killed great number of them."
