The sash was raised, and a
small table or stand was placed before him with an open book
upon it which he appeared to be reading. He had his
spectacles on, his left elbow rested upon the table or
stand, and his chin rested between thumb and fingers of his
hand; his right hand lay upon his book, and a decanter next
his book or beyond it. I never saw Thomas Paine at any other
place or in any other position."
In this house Paine was at one time desperately ill. It was said that
the collapse was partly due to his too sudden abstinence from
stimulants. He was an old man then, and had lived with every ounce of
energy that was in him. The stimulants were resumed, and he grew
somewhat better. This naturally brings us to the question of Paine as
an excessive drinker. Of course people said he was; but then people
said he was a great many things that he was not. When his enemies grew
tired of the monotony of crying "Tom Paine, the infidel," they cried
"Tom Paine, the drunkard" instead.
Which recalls a story which is an old one but too applicable not to be
quoted here.
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