Temperance prize essays / By Drs. Mussey and Lindsly.

Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Temperance prize essays / By Drs. Mussey and Lindsly. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ka * . 7 - a? eae ey : ) i 3 al en ae A a) WITH INTOXICATING ARTICLES. 155 giving them their bitter taste. We have good reason for believing, that occasionally the most deadly narcotic poisons are actually employed for this purpose, as opium, belladonna, cocculus Indi- cus, hyosciamus,* lauro cerasus, &c. ra * This plant was employed by the Assassin Prince, com- monly called the ‘old man of the Mountain,’ to intoxicate those whom he wished to engage in his service. _ The following eloquent passage from a modern writer will prove interesting : ‘There was at Alamoot, and also at Masiat in Syria, a delicious garden encompassed with lofty walls, adorned. with trees and flowers of every kmd—with murmuring rooks and translucent lakes—with bowers of roses and trellisses of the vine—airy halls and splendid kiosks, fur- nished with carpets of Persia, and silks of Byzantium. Beautiful maidens and blooming boys were the inhabi- tants of this delicious spot, which resounded with the melody of birds, the murmur of streams, and the tones and voices of instruments—all respired contentment and pleasure. When the Chief had noticed any youth to be distinguished for strength and resolution, he invited him to a banquet, where he placed him beside himself, con- versed with him on the happiness reserved for the faith- ful, and contrived to administer to him an intoxicating draught prepared from the hyosciamus. While insensible he was conveyed to the garden of delight, and there awakened by the application of vinegar. On opening his eyes all paradise met his view; the black-eyed and blue-robed houris surrounded him obedient to his wishes; sweet music filled his ears, the richest viands were served up in the most costly vessels, and .the choicest wines sparkled in golden cups. The fortunate youth believed himself really in the paradise of the Prophet, and the language of his attendants confirmed this delusion. When he had had his fill of enjoyment, and nature was yielding to exhaustion, the opiate was again administered, and the sleeper transported back to the side of the Chief, to whom he communicated what had passed, and who assured him of the truth and reality of all he had experi-