[166] Pœnitentiale Pseudo-Theodori, xxvi. 5 (Wasserschleben, op. cit. p. 594). Pœnitentiale Egberti, xi. 9 (Wasserschleben, p. 242).
[167] Pœnitentiale Theodori, i. 1. 1 (Wasserschleben, op. cit. p. 184). Pœnitentiale Egberti, xi. 1 (Wasserschleben, p. 242).
[168] Pœnitentiale Theodori, i. 1. 3 (Wasserschleben, op. cit. p. 184). Pœnitentiale Egberti, xi. 3 (Wasserschleben, p. 242).
[169] Pœnitentiale Theodori, i. 1. 2 (Wasserschleben, op. cit. p. 184). Pœnitentiale Egberti, xi. 2 (Wasserschleben, p. 242).
[170] Pœnitentiale Theodori, i. 1. 5 (Wasserschleben, op. cit. p. 184).
[171] Pœnitentiale Theodori, i. 1. 4 (Wasserschleben, op. cit. p. 184).
[172] Thrupp, op. cit. p. 299 sqq.
[173] Ibid. p. 301 sq.
[174] Porter, Progress of the Nation, p. 239. Pike, History of Crime in England, ii. 587. Massey, History of England during the Reign of George III. ii. 60.
Though of late years drunkenness has been decreasing among those European nations who have been most addicted to it, and is nowadays generally recognised as a vice, our civilisation is still, as it has always been, the great source from which the poison of intoxication is pouring over the earth in all directions, infecting or killing races who previously knew nothing of alcohol or looked upon it with abhorrence. Eastern religions have emphatically insisted upon sobriety or even total abstinence from intoxicating liquors. In the sacred law-books of Brahmanism thirteen different kinds of alcoholic drinks are mentioned, all of which are forbidden to Brâhmanas and three to Kshatriyas and Vaisyas;[175] yet, though there be no sin in drinking spirituous liquor, “abstention brings greater reward.”[176] A twice-born man who drinks the liquor called Surâ commits a mortal sin, which will be punished both in this life and in the life to come;[177] the most proper penalty for such a person is to drink that liquor boiling-hot, and only when his body has been completely scalded by it is he freed from his guilt.[178] Among the modern Hindus drunkenness is said to be detested by all but the very lowest castes in the agricultural districts and some high caste people residing in the great towns, who have learned it from Europeans; it is supposed to be destructive of caste purity; hence a notorious drunkard is, or at least used to be, expelled from his caste.[179] Buddhism interdicts altogether the use of alcohol;[180] “of the five crimes, the taking of life, theft, adultery, lying, and drinking, the last is the worst.”[181] Taouism condemns the love of wine.[182] In Zoroastrianism the holy Sraosha is represented as fighting against the demon of drunkenness,[183] and it is said that the sacred beings are not pleased with him who drinks wine more than moderately;[184] but it seems that the ancient Persians nevertheless were much addicted to intoxication.[185] According to classical writers, some of the Egyptian priests abstained entirely from wine, whilst others drank very little of it;[186] and before the reign of Psammetichus the kings neither drank wine, nor made libation of it as a thing acceptable to the gods.[187] The use of wine and other inebriating drinks is forbidden by Islam,[188] and was punished by Muhammed with flogging.[189] It may also be said of his followers that they for the most part have obeyed this command, at least in country districts,[190] and that the exceptions to the rule are directly or indirectly attributable to the influence of Christians.