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LENDING.

of a race like that vegetating in Patagonia, or some time ago in Connaught. They are, doubtless, carefu' bodies" like their relatives the Scots, who are not unlike them in many things. However this may be, the quantity of this fuel consumed in a year is enormous. Somewhere about 40,000,000 of tons sent their curly, gusty white smoke up through the Dutchmen's chimneys, in 1862. A huge trade you will say, and so it is, and gives employment to many thousand honest arms. Friesland, Drenthe, Groningen, and Over-Yssel, would not be what they are without this humble, yet profitable commerce. The high peat beds of Assen, in the province of Drenthe, are good examples of the working of the peat. Here you find the owner of a "bed" first draining off the water from the spongy soil, and carrying it into the convenient canals close at hand. He then orders his

men, with their canoe-like shoes, which often saves them from drowning, to cut trenches, or wallen, through the peat. By degrees, he deepens these trenches, and on the fourth year, when the drainage is complete, he begins to extract the turf. Now a busy work begins. Here all the Dutch love of method and system is seen to perfection. By a division of labour, the gangs of workmen are skilfully kept at work, and superintended, like so many soldiers at drill. All proceeds in order, even to the emptying of a wheelbarrow, which displays art and science in combination. Then comes the drying process, which is performed with equal regularity. The long rows of those little black squares; the careful manipulation of the women and children, who travel through between them like so many kittens; the well-built stall covered with reeds, and the jolly old barge which, with a harvest song, hoists its broad sail, raises its wooden wings, and hies off to the city, are sights, on a dry day, fit to cheer the heart of any but a doomed hypochondriac. When the turf is all removed from the bed, coniferous trees are generally found in abundance at the bottom. These are also turned to good purpose when the long nights of winter render a larger fire necessary to the Dutchman's comfort. We had almost forgotten to mention that the soft, long vegetation on the top of the "bed," through which the labourer waddles with considerable difficulty, is, like everything else in Holland, turned into profit. By mixing it with sand, they spread it over their land, and quietly plant their potatoes in it! A lesson, surely, to our own people, who treat the substance with contempt. In connexion with their peat-beds, a curious historical fact comes into notice. When the Dutch were harassed by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century, they set fire to the turf, and most effectually stopped the progress of the enemy, who, like a villain as he was, conceived the idea of burning out this strange race by retaliating with the same novel method of warfare. But he did know how ingenious these men were; for, while they could kindle so weird-like a fire, they knew also how to put it out, and, while doing so, drown King Philip and all his gay cavaliers! To submerge their country when their liberty is concerned, is by no means a new thing in Holland. The people are prepared to perish in the wild area of the North Sea rather than lose their freedom, and submit to a foreign yoke.

The low peat beds (lage veenen), are generally covered with several feet of arable clayey soil, which is removed, and, when the turf is all extracted, is laid down again, to form the basis of a second cultivation-not immediate, but prospective; for the vacant space, formerly occupied by the peat, fills with water, which must, by those old-fashioned windmills, be slowly drained away. A Herculean task! Who could calculate the damage, were the never-idle

ocean to break through the dykes and rush, impetuously, into these hollows? Ages, with ten times the number of windmills, could not recover what was lost.

Now we look at the turf potten, those ancient historic boats, which thrashed the Spanish galoons in the gulf. Watch them dragging their weary way across the Zuider Zee, laden with the turf, and steered by a whole family, who never leave this watery habitation. How skilfully the turf is packed, and how warily the boats are steered through the canals! They have touched the quay, and have given employ. ment to hosts of porters, whose blouses and whose antiquated carts are objects which catch the eye of the stranger.

The peat is now discharged, and the venerable barge makes its toilet and puts on as gay a face as the turgid waters of the canal, aided by a little paint and varnish, can bestow. We had intended to speak of the origin of the peat, and particularly of the singular spectacle of a "bed" in actual formation at this moment in the forest of Drieschigt, but space will not permit. In next number we hope to have a word to say on this point. W. S.

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Mr. CRAMPTON sat in gown and slippers, ensconced in a great padded chair, wheeled comfortably in front of the glowing grate. Nor did it at all detract from his satisfaction that, when now and then he pansed in reading the evening paper, he heard the winter wind holding fierce revels without, and the stinging sleet driving against the double windows, muffled in their heavy curtains.

"It's a terrible night!" he at last remarked to his wife, as he folded the paper and leaned back in the chair.

"May God have mercy on the poor,"-after which benevolent ejaculation he felt as benignant and warm-hearted as if he had just distributed a load of coals among shivering paupers, or ordered a barrel of flour to some starving family's door.

Mr. Crampton was a member in good standing in a famous Laodicean Church, and he had a habit of family prayers, which was not omitted upon this evening. And as the tempest continued to increase, he again remembered, with quite a glow of feeling, the condition of the poor, and prayed with much fervency that they might be "preserved through this inclement

season.

He had risen from his knees, settled himself again in that very easy chair, and was talking comfortably with his wife about his golden prospects for the future, when the door bell gave a little shivering tinkle.

"A boy wishes to see you, sir," announced the

servant.

Mr. Crampton rose fretfully. "How annoying! What can a boy want at this late hour?"

As he appeared in the hall, a shadow at the further end seemed to become animated, and a slight figure drenched with the storm, advanced bowing.

I

"Ah, Jack, it's you, is it ?" said Mr. Crampton with a frown. "Well, what's the matter now? suppose your father has broken his leg, and all the children are down with the scarlet fever ?"

"Please, sir," said the boy, with an effort, "little Susan is very sick, sir. We're afraid she'll die. Mother wouldn't let me beg for anything if she knew it, but I ran away because the fire had all gone out, and

"There, that will do," said Mr. Crampton, sternly. "I don't believe a word of it. I've seen you with very bad boys, and I believe you're a little vagrant,

THERE'S NO DEARTH OF KINDNESS.-UNITED KINGDOM ALLIANCE.

and want the money yourself. Can you look me in the face, and tell me it is all true ?"

An indignant crimson stained the boy's thin cheeks as he lifted his heavy eyes. "Yes, sir, I can, but," adding lower, "I don't like to look in your face." "What!" cried Mr. Crampton, angrily; but the boy moved slowly to the door.

Mr. Crampton called after him a little uneasily. "Here, take this. It shall never be said that I sent the poor empty away," and he dropped sixpence in the little frozen palm, that made an involuntary motion to throw it back, and then convulsively clasped it again,

"Well," said Mrs. Crampton, as he returned, "did you give the child anything ?"

"O yes," said he shortly, sinking back in his chair. "I am glad you did," said his wife gently. "It is a blessed thing to give, and he that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord."

The easy-chair suddenly became strangely uncomfortable, and a painful crimson suffused Mr. Crampton's plethoric cheek. He was a business man, and sometimes when with painful effort he had untied his purse-strings at some benevolent appeal, this same verse had occurred to him in connection with a vague consoling idea that he was taking stock in some desirable portion of the "golden street," in convenient contiguity to the "tree of life." But to-night the thought smote him that he had made rather a small investment; and wasn't it just possible that the great Master might resent such a niggardly loan? Wasn't it just possible that this family were really suffering? and oughtn't he to have inquired, or sent a servant with some nourishing food and a basket of coals, which he would never have missed? In vain did he say to himself that it was too bad for a man to be disturbed so late at night after his hard day of toil; and, besides, hadn't he that very day given five shillings to the Bible Society? In spite of all his efforts another verse kept ringing unpleasantly in his ears"Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me."

The next morning, as Mr. Crampton sat in his counting-room, busily engaged with a column of figures, a little morsel of frost and rags stood before him.

"Here's your sixpence, sir: we didn't use it." "Here; stop, boy! what do you mean?" stammered Mr. Crampton. "How's your sister?"

"Dead!" gasped the boy, rushing from the door; and Mr. Crampton, dropping his head on his hand, thought of an account he had with the Lord, very different from what he intended it should be.

Blind, cold, selfish Laodiceans, who shall anoint your eyes with eye-salve, that ye may see? For a little time to us is granted a glorious privilege, and we know it not. The angels and redeemed saints can no longer suffer or make sacrifices to prove their boundless love, but to us is the boon still given, and it is enough to glorify the saddest life. Let us try to realise it while there is yet time. How strange! How wonderful! We-mere motes in the sunlight of God's presence-so poor, so weak, so infinitely inferior, may yet have the glorious honour, the exquisite joy, of lending to the Lord!

There's no dearth of Kindness.

By GERALD MASSEY.

THERE's no dearth of kindness
In this world of ours;
Only in our blindness

We gather thorns for flowers!
Outward, we are spurning-
Trampling one another!
While we are inly yearning
At the name of
Brother!"

There's no dearth of kindness
Or love among mankind,
But in darkling loneness
Hooded hearts grow blind!
Full of kindness tingling,
Soul is shut from soul,
When they might be mingling
In one kindred whole!
There's no dearth of kindness,
Tho' it be unspoken;
From the heart it sendeth

Smiles of heaven in token
That there be none so lowly,
But have some angel-touch:
Yet, nursing loves unholy,
We live for self too much!
As the wild-rose bloweth,
As runs the happy river,
Kindness freely floweth

In the heart for ever. But if men will hanker

Ever for golden dust,
Best of hearts will canker,
Brightest spirits rust.

There's no dearth of kindness
In this world of ours;
Only in our blindness

We gather thorns for flowers!
O cherish God's best giving,
Falling from above!
Life were not worth living,
Were it not for Love.

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The Position and Prospects of the United Kingdom Alliance.

SOME of the principal facts relative to the history of the Alliance are the following:-That it was formed under the warmest auspices of the most earnest Temperance reformers of the United Kingdom; that it has called into, and kept in, existence a large amount of literary and platform agency of great value for making known Temperance facts and principles, and the duties resting upon all classes to discourage all the causes of intemperance; that it has enrolled more than 60,000 members, and has won the suffrages of many times that number of British subjects; that it has served to revive and stimulate Temperance action in all parts of the country; that it has brought a powerful influence to bear on numerous municipal and parliamentary elections, and upon the governmental bodies; and that it has laid before the nation, and is now preparing to lay before Parliament, a plan for enabling the inhabitants of districts having the will to exert a power hitherto denied them of self-protection against the evils of the liquor traffic. The last meeting of the General Council, at Manchester, showed no abatement in the zeal and courage of the assembled members; and there is every reason to infer that the spirit then displayed was representative of the feelings which animate the mass of its ardent supporters who were unavoidably absent. Those who believe that prohibition would be a political mistake, and, therefore, that the agitation for it in any form is a popular delusion, will not view with pleasure the signs of aggressive vitality which the Alliance has again exhibited. They will join with the Times is censuring the resolution to eschew kid gloves in the prosecution of its conflict with the pecuniary interests of the dram-seller and the exciseman. We do not see how this censure can be well sustained, or how it can be seriously thought to tell against the objects and policy of the Alliance. If it meant to play and toy with its mighty mission, it would be unworthy of that mission and of the respect

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of all earnest men. If, on the contrary, it means not to play, but to fight, and to fight with the increased exhilaration derived from ample funds and a wider experience, where can be the harm of saying so, and of sounding the call to its supporters far and near? Does any one out of Bedlam think that less than the utmost vehemence and concentration of effort will crown the agitation for a Permissive Bill with success? Admit, then, that the effort should be made, and the wisdom of making it, with all the heart and vigour that can be commanded, is necessarily conceded.

Others there are we know who are unfriendly to the Alliance on different grounds. They do not deny the justice of prohibition, but they impugn the methods proposed by the Alliance for attaining it. They point to the "barrenness" of ten years of agitation, to the few members of Parliament who sympathise with its demands for a Permissive Law, and to the increased activity of the publicans in organising for their own protection. These friends, who are jealous of their temperance reputation, are, therefore, disposed to take anything but a favourable view of the prospects of the Alliance; they even sometimes contrast what it has not done with the good achieved by ordinary temperance associations. We need hardly say that such a contrast betrays an ignorance of which a temperance tyro should be ashamed, of the intrinsic difference between merely social and political movements. The one realize their benefits at every stage of their progress; the other, being dependent for their chief benefit upon an altered state of legislation, can only produce that benefit by securing the legislation sought. The voluntary labours of the husbandman long ago provided the people with bread from year to year, but the blessing of untaxed bread could only be gained by the repeal of the Corn Laws; but where would have been the expedience of objecting to the agitation for that repeal that it was not, during the continuance of the agitation, conferring upon the nation either the same kind of good as the husbandman's labour, or as the actual repeal of the Corn Laws would produce? The only sensible and pertinent question in that case was—If the agitation succeeds, will it be worth its cost? So is it with the Alliance. It was not instituted to do the work of temperance societies-promote habits of voluntary abstinence (though incidentally it has greatly aided in this work)-but to suppress by law a traffic which is the principal external cause of our national intemperance. Of course it cannot do this till the law is got. It is absurd to ask-What has it done?—that is, how many drinking-shops has it suppressed?-till the law is gained. It is engaged in getting the law; and, if the law is worth getting, all who think so should be employed, not in carping at the Alliance, but in co-operating with it to augment its influence and abridge its toils. If the objection is directed against the means adopted-direct agitation for a Permissive Law, instead of agitation for gradual changes in the present law, increasing restrictions, &c.-and if it is maintained that prohibition, either local or national, would sooner be reached in this way than by the other-the objector has a perfect right to his opinion; but he is also under obligation to give reasons for his belief; and we must say that, while we have often seen the opinion roundly asserted, we have never seen the least vestige of sound reason, either à priori or à posteriori, advanced in its support. What is not a little curious, too, is the undeniable fact, that those who affirm that the best or only highroad to prohibition lies through successive legislative restrictions, never appear to evince much heartiness or energy in the effort to obtain the simplest of these restrictions. We do not discourage agitations for any species of restriction; but to look to prohibition

as the result of successive restriction would be, in our estimation, to postpone prohibition sine die; and there are some folks so wicked-the reader must not think us of the number-who broadly hint that nothing would better please the successive restrictionists than that very postponement. The cloud which is supposed to hang over the future of the Alliance, from the activity and organisation of the publicans, does in reality and as much darken the prospects of every movement at all aiming to lessen the profits and power of the mischevious craft. If it be a direful and disastrous thing to rouse their anger and drive them to combine, then the evil is done, and supineness on the part of temperance reformers will but encourage them to employ their strength with greater arrogance, and without control. Oppose them, and they will be content to stand on the defensive; leave them in possession of the field, and who can place limits to the dictation they will attempt? But, in our humble judgment, the Alliance does well not to be disturbed by the rage and drilling of the liquor-dealers. Their influence is mostly of the kind that needs but to be confronted and it dissolves. Their real motives are too transparent to be concealed, and too selfish to be respected. Mr. Gladstone did not hesitate, in 1860, to compare the whole trade to Vice which, in the fable, dogged the steps of Hercules. Their organisations are not to be despised; but they can be nullified by organisations more compact and extensive. The opponents of the Alliance in the public press rarely dwell on the interests of the publicans; they are clients of whom every respectable organ of public opinion is ashamed. The greatest difficulties of the Alliance consist in the ignorance, prejudice, apathy, and tastes of the public at large, and of their representatives in Parliament and the press. But who shall say that these difficulties are insurmountable? Persistently attacked, they, too, will subside, and the mountain will sink into a plain. The prospects of the Alliance cannot dispirit any except those who are too ready to be dispirited. Great reforms are not carried by a coup de main, nor by idle hands, nor without the clash of contending parties. In the natural world the storms of Winter precede and prepare for the beauty of Spring, the splendour of Summer, and the harvests of Autumn. Grant that the Alliance is now in its wintery season ; the heart of faith and eye of hope enjoy a prophetic prescience of summer times and garnered fruits. When the cause is of God nothing is impossible to the believer and the worker.

Literary Notice.

BIBLICAL NATURAL SCIENCE. Parts IX. & X. By the Rev. John Dunns, F.R.S.E. London & Glasgow: William Mackenzie. Belfast: William Rodman, 36, College Street.

In our previous notices of this excellent and learned work, we have given repeated expression to our deep appreciation of the author's merits. It is only necessary now that we follow him through the intricate paths of his laborious journey. The parts before us are much occupied by a history of the domestic life of the patriarchs,-the events in their career, and many important points relating to the natural history of the regions inhabited by those grim fathers of our race. Many interesting questions, elucidative of habits and customs, are handled in such a manner as to throw a flood of light on the earliest and most authentic record of the world's history. The beauti

THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.

ful story of Jacob and his twelve sons, but especially of Joseph in his relation to old Egypt and her Pharoah, is here rendered with graphic power, assisted by the valuable geopraphical and historical information which the author has so abundantly furnished, and by the faithful representations of plants and animals which so vividly illustrate the glowing pages of this attractive book.

The Temperance Movement.

THE UNITED KINGDOM ALLIANCE.

He

THE tenth annual meeting of the General Council of the United Kingdom Alliance was held in the Assembly Room of the Free Trade Hall on Friday morning, Oct. 23, and was numerously attended. The chair was taken by Sir W. C. Trevelyan, Bart. Mr. S. Pope, the Secretary, read the annual report, which gave a favourable account of the operations and progress of the Alliance, and declared the finances to be in a satisfactory condition. The report was adopted, on the motion of Mr. W. Lawson, M.P., seconded by Dr. Carpenter. The Rev. Canon Jenkins moved the appointment of the honorary officers for the ensuing year. Mr. J. Guest seconded the resolution, which was adopted. Mr. Alderman Harvey moved a resolution pledging the Council to use every endeavour to raise their funds to an amount adequate to the contemplated efforts in Parliament. Mr. R. Whitworth seconded the resolution, and promised to raise £1,500 this year. (Hear, hear.) The resolution was adopted. Mr. J. Noble, jun., moved a resolution recognising the signs of progress evidenced by the increased attention of the press, the discussions in Parliament, and the numerous testimonials from public men. Mr. J. G. Thornton seconded the resolution, which was adopted. Professor Newman moved a resolution approving of Mr. Lawson's efforts, and pledging the Council to sustain him in his promised introduction of a Permissive Bill. The Rev. J. C. Street seconded the resolution, which was supported by Mr. J. Davie, Dunfermline, and adopted. Mr. S. Pope congratulated the Council on the largeness of the attendance. moved the adoption of the draft of a Permissive Bill. He gave a summary of the provisions of the bill, which, he said, only applied to England, and separate acts would be necessary for Scotland and Ireland. Mr. J. Thorp seconded the resolution, which was supported by Dr. F. R. Lees. A number of suggestions were made for the modification of some of the clauses; and it was ultimately agreed that each member of the Council should be supplied by post with a copy of the draft, and that the Executive Committee should remodel the bill in accordance with the suggestions made. The resolution, as modified, was adopted. The annual public meeting was held at the Free Trade Hall in the evening-the Mayor of Manchester (Abel Heywood, Esq.) in the chair. The Chairman said he felt it to be a great honour to preside over such a meeting. Mr. J. H. Cotterell proposed a resolution to the effect that the meeting repudiated the policy of licensing the liquor traffic, deplored its disastrous results in the augmentation of pauperism, insanity, crime, and taxation, viewed it as a system opposed to the growing intelligence and religious aspirations of the community, and called upon statesmen and all good citizens to combine in removing so great and alarming a public nuisance and national evil. The Rev. Dr. Dill, Ballymena, seconded the resolution in an eloquent speech. He said he regretted that the Government derived a great portion of its revenue from sustaining and sanctioning the present system of licensing. Mr. W. Lawson, M.P. for Car

191

lisle, supported the resolution, which, he said, condemned the liquor traffic as a public nuisance and national evil. Sir W. C. Trevelyan supported the resolution. Mr. S. Pope proposed a resolution, approving the efforts of the Alliance to bring the question bi the liquor traffic before the Legislature, and pledging the meeting to support the movement in every possible way. The Rev. Canon Jenkins seconded the motion. The Rev. H. Gale supported the motion, which was adopted. On the motion of Professor Newman, seconded by Mr. Lawson, M.P., a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, and the proceed. ings terminated.

"LIFE OF FATHER MATHEW."

The Reader gives a good notice of Mr. Maguire's Life of the great Temperance Reformer. The London correspondent of the Alliance News observes :"Mr. Maguire has evidently succeeded in representing the good Father Mathew under those generous, buoyant, and rosily-benevolent aspects of his character which he never failed to exhibit; and his biographer does not give colour to the supposition that the great work of 1838-45 has been swept out of being. At the same time, I fear that Mr. Maguire does not know of, or has not given currency to, Father Mathew's written avowal of the need of prohibition to crown and consolidate all temperance reform based on individual conviction. I hope that the cost (12s. 6d.), won't make the circulation of of the volume small, and so rob it of the influence such a biography should exert upon the mind, conscience, and heart of England." We are glad to know that the volume has proved a great success, nearly the whole of the first edition being exhausted.

"c THE SECRET OF IRELAND'S POVERTY." The Drogheda Reporter, in an excellent article on Irish Poverty, remarks:-" Employment, good wages, and industry combined-' destitute, however, of habits of self-control, temperance, or thrift'— —are next to useless, excellent as they are in themselves. It is not, after all, so much a question how much a man earns, as what does he do with his earnings, or what does his wife do with them? The Coombe and other districts in Dublin, and other cities and towns in Ireland, present the self-same features to-day which they presented in 1756. There is no improvement, although they earn higher wages. It all goes on Saturday night' to the gin-palace and public-house. While other businesses in Dublin are failing, and the shops in which the trades are carried on are becoming shabby and dilapidated-looking, the whisky shops are on every hand becoming more brilliant and dazzling. While manufacturers are losing ground, destroyers of the produce of the earth are rising in wealth, and increasing in riches. The temptations to improvident habits stand as a snare before the artizan at every corner, and the result is, that ninety-nine out of each hundred of them squander their earnings, and ruin their health by their course of life."

ALCOHOL AS A MEDICINE.

Dr. Higginbottom, of Nottingham, has favoured us with a letter on the subject of the mischief done in the Temperance ranks by medical men so frequently prescribing alcoholic drinks. We give an extract from the communication of our worthy friend, who is a thorough-going Teetotaller and Prohibitionist:-Nothing would delight me more than to know what course to take with medical men on the subject of true temperance. Two days before I received your letter, a lady, apparently of consequence and influence in Edinburgh, requested me to send her my tract, "Non-Alcohol Treatment of Disease," and "Alcohol, Medical Men," &c. She complained very much of the havoc medical men were making among the Teetotallers. Hundreds-I may say thousands -of medical men know my opinions and practice of Teetotalism, but there is not an individual who dare attack me on the subject, for the very good reason, I have said nothing but facts. I have thrown down the gauntlet; not one medi

192

THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.

cal man will take it up. Ministers of the gospel are very blameable; although drunkenness is the sin of our country, it is not attacked from the pulpit. I have known them avoid the subject altogether when there has been the best opportunity of introducing it, and have asked the reason, I was answered "There was a wine and spirit merchant very near him." I have even heard a bishop, when repeating the verses from Gal. v. 22-23, leave "temperance" out. I fear most ministers are afraid of even the word. I do assure you, I have been led to think that there are very few, indeed, of real faithful Christian ministers; and I fear they shake the faith of many. The Alliance very rarely speaks of alcohol as a medicine. The all-absorbing thing is the Permissive Bill. If that should pass, a much more formidable battle must be fought with medical men against alcohol as a medicine. I wish you would devise a plan to prevent the wolves (medical men) from devouring the sheep (the Teetotallers). I would not for the world bear the responsibility of medical men in prescribing alcohol as a medicine.

POOR MR. BUXTON.

་་

Mr. Barker has applied an extinguisher to Mr. Buxton. The extensive brewer, in an after-dinner speech, some time ago, took occasion to make some animadversions upon the Permissive Bill. The active and honored secretary of the Alliance, in a letter to the Manchester Times, fairly ducks the brewer in one of his own vats. Mr. Buxton is reminded that in an article in the North British Review for February, 1855, he wrote strongly in favour of a parochial Maine Law, and referred to the fact that in many districts such a reasonable measure was virtually enforced with the utmost benefit. "The only difference," Mr. Barker remarks, between the suggested parochial Maine Law of Mr. Buxton and the sug gested Permissive Law of the United Kingdom Alliance, is one of mere detail and mode of application. Mr. Buxton suggests that a five-sixth' majority of the rate-payers shall be potent to extinguish all places for the sale of fermented liquors.' The Alliance proposes that a two-thirds majority shall be sufficient to remove so great a nuisance. The principle is exactly the same. Now, as 'common sense is the first and best of qualities' with common brewers, as well as with more ordinary mortals, your readers will not fail to see that Mr. Buxton, when writing soberly as a philanthropist, views things in a much clearer light than when, as a brewer, he discourses on malt and hops and the Permissive Bill at an agricultural dinner. On both occasions, however, the same damnatory admission is made in regard to the results of the liquor-traffic. Surely common sense, as well as common justice, would prompt any true philanthropist and patriot to abandon a business that leads invariably and inevitably to such fearful results. At any rate, the people might be safely entrusted with the power to abolish so dire a calamity, when their sobriety and patriotism lead them to desire to be rid of the curse."

"DEATH IN THE POT."

A Norwich correspondent of the Alliance News relates a few melancholy facts. He says:-"There is a brewery close to where I live that has lost several owners in a very short time. About a fortnight ago was interred the last proprietor, at the age of 43. He was quite bloated and sottish in appearance, and it is only about twelve months since he buried a younger brother, and all through drink. I can call to mind no less than 13 that have died in about twelve years, that have been connected with that brewery; and yet all these things are no warning."

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At a recent soirée of the Abstainers' Union, Mr. Neil M'Neil alluded in favourable terms to the increase in the Alliance subscriptions this year. We also observe that the President of the Scottish League has pointedly and publicly referred to the same gratifying subject. These are really pleasing signs of progress, and point hopefully to the "good time coming," when all Temperance Reformers shall be united as one man in demanding the total suppression of an ungodly traffic.

A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

The London correspondent of the Alliance News says:-A London Catholic Teetotal Union has just been inaugurated by a crowded meeting, in the large hall of the Whittington Club. Mr. P. Corrigan and the other promoters of this association are friends and admirers of the Alliance. The present movement has begun auspiciously. We are glad to see that it is abreast of the times.

SAFETY OF TEMPERANCE.

It is stated in a foreign journal that, out of a caravan of eighty-two persons who crossed the Great Desert from Algeria to Timbuctoo, last summer, all but fifteen used wine and other spirituous liquors as a preventive against African

diseases. Soon after reaching Timbuctoo, all who used spirituous liquors died save one. Of the fifteen who abstained, all survived.

CEAD MILLE FAILTHA!

A new periodical, under the name of the British Workwoman, has appeared. The new monthly consists of eight pages. A picture in the first number represents a girl dissuading a man from entering a gin-shop, and is given to illustrate a story reprinted from "Friendly Hands and Kindly Words." The workwomen of the United Kingdom have a right to their special organ, to which we wish a large circulation and abundant success!

THE GENUINE METAL.

The Methodist Recorder has an article anent the annual meeting of the United Kingdom Alliance. We heartily greet the Recorder as an advocate for the suppression of the liquor traffic by means of the Permissive Bill. After remarking that the subject is one of grave importance, and one that ought not to be summarily dismissed from consideration, the Recorder adds-"Whatever may be the ultimate fate of Mr. Lawson's bill, the proposal of it is in itself a feature of the times. We are all prepared to admit that drunkenness is the greatest of all obstacles to the physical, moral, and spiritual improvement of our country. Every worker for the elevation of the people will endorse the declaration of the learned Recorder of Birmingham, that, "In whatever direction we turn, the drink-demon starts up and blocks the way;" and, if the Alliance can effectually exorcise that demon, they will merit the gratitude of all coming generations."

HER MAJESTY AND THE USE OF THE "WEED." We have the authority of the Times for stating that the nse use of tobacco for smoking purposes within the precincts of Windsor Castle has been prohibited by the express command of her Majesty the Queen. Cards, neatly framed and glazed, requesting that gentlemen will not smoke in the Castle, have been hung in the private rooms of the Lords in Waiting and Equerries of the Royal suite, and even in the rooms in the York Tower, which are being fitted up for his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. The servants and workmen of the Castle are also prohibited from smoking within the Castle, by command of her Majesty.

MEETINGS IN IRELAND.

BELFAST.-Friday evening, 30th Oct., a meeting of the Belfast Temperance Societywas held in Pilot Street School-house. The meeting was convened under the auspices of the Belfast Ladies' Temperance Union. The Rev. H. H. Carson occu pied the chair, and an able and eloquent lecture was delivered by the Rev. James White.

The monthly musical meetings of the 14th Depôt Battalion Temperance Association, held on the 22nd October and the 19th November, were unusually well attended by both civilians and soldiers-in fact, the large Garrison School-room was crammed to the door. The vocalists, under Mr. Atwell, and the band, under Drum-Major Doughty, executed the several pieces of a varied and well-selected programme in a highly-satisfactory manner. Corporal Norris, 96th Depôt, delighted the audience by the able way in which he performed two solos on the cornet; and Private Turner equally pleased by his performance on the concertina. These meetings are very much relished by the soldiers. On the evening of the 12th November, Mr. M'Ewen gave a magic lantern treat to the children of the battalion, and, at its close, a number of them became members of a Band of Hope just established in connexion with the association.

Monday evening, November 2, Mr. Pyper lectured to the Berry Street Congregational Temperance Society, Belfast. The meeting was held in the Mechanics' Institute. The chair was occupied by Mr. D. Hollywood, Vice-President. Some new members were admitted at the close of the proceedings.

Tuesday evening, November 3, a meeting of the Belfast Total Abstinence Association was held in the Kent Street Temperance Hall. There was a large attendance. Mr. C. G. Stewart presided. Mr. John Reid, the indefatigable agent of the association, delivered an able lecture, in which he specially dwelt on the proposed gin-palace to which the magistrates lately refused a license. Nov. 10, Mr. William Church gave a lengthened account of his recent visit to Manchester, describing "the sights" of the great cotton capital. The cheering meetings in connexion with the anniversary of the United Kingdom Alliance, were specially referred to, and many evidences of "the good time coming,' when the demoralising drink traffic shall be totally sup pressed, were touched upon by the speaker, and enthusias tically applauded by the meeting. The other speakers during the month were Messrs. Alex. Riddell, Wm. Agnew, G. Reilly (Fire Brigade), J. C. Davidson, and John M'Kenzie. Wednesday evening, November 4, the annual meeting of the Belfast Revival Temperance Association was held in the Mercantile Academy. Mr. John Pyper, Vice-President, occupied the chair, and gave a brief statement of what he had seen and heard at the annual meetings of the United King

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