[John Britton has been recounting the stories of young clerks and amanuenses whom he employed, who became victims of excessive drinking]

A third was a native of the Emerald Island, who came to London, with a good education and intense love of reading, particularly history, languages, and archaeology.  He was with me only a few months, as higher salary and more influential connection tempted him to engage on one of the daily newspapers.  This brought him in contact with other young men who frequented a noted tavern in the purlieus of Covent Garden, where they often spent the greater part of the night.  Drinking, smoking, debating, and singing constituted their chief amusement and occupation.  Having joined them myself, on some particular occasions for a few nights, I felt that the danger and expense were too much for my prudence and principle, and I ceased to belong to that, or any other convivial club.