Map of a Great Country, Lying Between the Ocean of Nativity on the East, and the Ocean of Eternity on the West.
- Title:
- Map of a Great Country, Lying Between the Ocean of Nativity on the East, and the Ocean of Eternity on the West.
- Alternate Title:
- Map of a Great Country
- Collection:
- Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
- Creator:
- Temperance, Timothy (pseud.)
- Other Creators:
- Executive Committee , New-Hampshire Temperance Society, publisher; Hill & Barton, printers.
- Date:
- 1834
- Posted Date:
- 2024-04-25
- ID Number:
- 2403.01
- File Name:
- PJM_2403_01.jpg
- Style/Period:
- 1800 - 1869
- Subject:
- Alcohol
Allegorical
Conduct of Life - Measurement:
- 10 x 15 on page 39 x 25 (centimeters, height x width)
- Notes:
- For most of the 19th century, and the first third of the 20th century, temperance was one of the dominant political and moral issues of American culture. Not surprisingly, maps were often used to influence views on one side of the other: allegorical maps, satirical maps, maps showing the geographical density of saloons. See Subjects > Alcohol.
This allegorical map is the earliest I’ve seen. It shows the Continent of Ardent Spirits in the north and the Continent of Self Denial in the south, each stretching from the Ocean of Nativity in the East to the Ocean of Eternity in the West. The consequence of drink are detailed in a large number of “Territories, Seas, Lakes, Rivers, &c.” - Distress, Gloom, Perdition, Anguish, Larceny, Murder, Starvation, Gibbet, Ruin, etc. And so as well the rewards of temperance: Fine Prospect, Knowledge, Improvement, Enjoyment, Peace, Plenty, Good Repute, Longevity. All of this geography is described in remarkable detail in a full page of text, in a small font, and continued onto a second page (ID #2403.02).
The map appeared in the Temperance Herald, published by the “Executive Committee of the New-Hampshire Temperance Society” in April, 1834. The Temperance Herald began publishing in January 1834, and this is one of the first 11 editions. There is evidence that further editions may have been published as late as 1837. The paper was strictly nonsectarian; the publishers declared in its first issue that the paper “will be devoted exclusively to its own peculiar subject, the promotion of Temperance. . . . Nothing of a party nature either in politics or religion will be admitted into its columns.” Vol. I, No. I, P. 3. It was nevertheless warmly embraced by the Baptists of New Hampshire, who promptly “resolved” that the publishers of the Herald “have rendered the most important service to the temperance cause” and “earnestly requested” that “all our brethren and sisters” assist in distribution of the Herald and “contribute liberally” toward its expenses. Proceedings of the Baptist Convention of the State of New Hampshire, June 26, 27 & 28, 1834, p. 22.
Cornell University Library is pleased to present this digital collection of Persuasive Maps, the originals of which have been collected and described by the private collector PJ Mode. The descriptive information in the “Collector’s Notes” has been supplied by Mr. Mode and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cornell University. - Source:
- Temperance Herald, Concord, New Hampshire, April, 1834, p.1.
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.