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America Through the Spectacles of an Oriental Diplomat-Part19_TingFang Wu(1842-1922)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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is retiring from the service on account of ill-health. Dr. Wilder

is very popular and figures largely in the social life of the community,



but Dr. Wilder is a staunch opponent of alcohol, and through his influence

wines at public dinners are always treated as extras.



So long as the liquortraffic is so extensively" target="_blank" title="ad.广泛地，彻底地">extensively and profitably carried on in

Europe and America, and so long as the consumption of alcohol is so enormous,



so long will there be a difference of opinion as to its ill effects,

but in this matter, by means of its State Prohibition Laws,



America is setting an example to the world. In no other country are there

such extensive tracts without alcohol as the "Dry States" of America.



China, who is waging war on opium, recognizes in this fact

a kindred, active moral force which is absent elsewhere,



and, shaking hands with her sister republic across the seas,

hopes that she will some day be as free of alcoholic" target="_blank" title="a.酒精的">alcoholicpoisons



as China herself hopes to be of opium. Every vice, however, has its defense.

Some years ago I met a famous Dutch artist in Peking, who,



though still in the prime of life, was obliged to lay aside his work

for a few days each month, due to an occasional attack of rheumatism.



I found he was fond of his cup, though I did not understand

that he was an immoderate drinker. I discoursed to him somewhat lengthily



about the evil effects of drink, and showed him that unless he was willing

to give up all intoxicating liquor, his rheumatism would never give him up.



He listened attentively, pondered for a few minutes, and then gave

this characteristic answer: "I admit the soundness of your argument



but I enjoy my glass exceedingly; if I were to follow your advice

I should be deprived of a lot of pleasure. Indeed, I would rather have



the rheumatic pains, which disappear after two or three days,

and continue to enjoy my alcoholic" target="_blank" title="a.酒精的">alcoholic drinks, than endure the misery



of doing without them." I warned him that in course of time

his rheumatism would be longer in duration and attack him more frequently,



if he continued to ignore its warnings and to play with what, for him,

was certainly poison. When anyone has a habit, be it injurious or otherwise,



it is not easy to persuade him to abandon it.

"The Aristocracy of Health" written by the talented Mrs. Henderson



is an admirable work. I owe much to it. The facts and arguments

adduced against tobacco smoking, strong drink and poisonous foods,



are set forth in such a clear and convincing manner,

that soon after reading it I became a teetotaler and "sanitarian"*



and began at once to reap the benefits. I felt that I ought not to keep

such a good thing to myself, but that I should preach the doctrine



far and wide. I soon found, however, that it was an impossible task

to try to save men from themselves, and I acquired the unenviable sobriquet



of "crank"; but I was not dismayed. From my native friends

I turned to the foreign community in Peking, thinking that the latter



would possess better judgment, appreciate and be converted

to the sanitarian doctrine. Among the foreigners I appealed to,



one was a distinguisheddiplomat, and the other a gentleman

in the Chinese service, with a world-wide reputation.



Both were elderly and in delicate health, and it was my earnest hope

that by reading Mrs. Henderson's book, which was sent to them,



they would be convinced of their errors and turn over a new leaf --

I was disappointed. Both, in returning the book, made substantially



the same answer. "Mrs. Henderson's work is very interesting,

but at my time of life it is not advisable to change life-long habits.






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