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TEMPERANCE PROGRESS.

casion they were accompanied by a number of members from Belfast. The designation adopted by the Lisburn brethren is "The Eden Tent." They have already enrolled 25 members, which is a very large number to begin with in Lisburn.

The whole of the tents in the Belfast district are in a most flourishing condition, and are adding daily to their numbers-whilst communications have been entered into with the view of still further extension to the towns of Dundalk, Enniskillen, and Banbridge. A communication from Dublin intimates that a tent will be opened in the capital immediately.

On the first of March, the "Star of the North Tent," Belfast, completed its first year of existence. The membership of this tent is now upwards of 60, and that they should have, in one short year, increased from 16 (the number they opened with) to 60, is highly creditable to them.

I hope at your approaching conference on Easter Monday, that, in discussing the means of advancing the Temperance question, that great help, the Independent Order of Rechabites, will not be overlooked.

WM. BROWN, District Secretary.

Temperance Progress.

THE principal event during the past month, 'in our operations in Ireland, has been the series of great meetings held in Dublin, Newry, Dundalk, Lurgan and Portadown, under the auspices of the United Kingdom Alliance and the Irish Temperance League and Permissive Bill Association. The deputation consisted of Dr. Lees and Mr. John Pyper, and we are happy to record the cheering fact that in all these important places the people were enthusiastic in their approval of Prohibition principles. The meetings were very successful, and a mighty impetus has been given to the movement in Ireland in favour of the Permissive Bill. Dr. Lees has engaged to lecture in Larne, Randalstown, Coleraine, Newtownlimavady, Enniskillen, and 'Clones. We hope he will be long spared to aid by his lucid and cogent addresses the glorious cause with which his name has been so long identified.

BELFAST.-Friday evening, February 27, a numerous meeting in connexion with the Temperance Society was held in the School-room of the Congregational Church, Donegall-street. The Rev. J. G. Short presided, and addresses were delivered by Mr. Wm. Church, Secretary of the League, and Mr. C. Hendrick. The Chairman closed the proceedings with a few telling observations in favour of the total prohibition of the liquor traffic.Tuesday, March 3, Mr. John Pyper, Agent of the League, and Dr. Aiken, addressed the monthly meeting in Lynas' Lane. A large number signed the pledge.- At the weekly meeting of the Magdalene Society, held on Thursday evening, 12th March, F. C. M Minn in the chair, Mr. J. Campbell delivered a lecture on "Irish Slavery." A vote of thanks was proposed by Colonel Childe, and seconded by Mr. G. Armstrong, and conveyed to the lecturer. An interesting meeting was held at the Malone Protestant Reformatory Institution, on Friday evening, 13th March, when the inmates, to the number of about forty, were addressed by Mr. H. C. Knight, Hon. Deputation of the Irish Temperance League, on the subject of Total Abstinence. At its conclusion fourteen lads, including one of the monitors, came forward, and enrolled their names in the pledgebook. [It will, no doubt, be gratifying to the philanthropic public to know that this institution, under the efficient management of Mr. Barclay, the Governor, appears to be in a highly satisfactory condition.]—Monday evening, 16th March, a meeting of the Friends' Total Abstinence Association was held at the offices of the Irish Temperance League, 5, Donegall-street. Mr. W. Halliday occupied the chair, and addresses were delivered by Messrs. W. Church, W. W. Lamb, J. Pim, jun., F. W. Lockwood, G. D. Leathem, and H. C. Knight. Resolutions in favor of the Permissive Bill were unanimously adopted. Wednesday evening, March 18, a meeting of the Revival Temperance Society was held in the Corn Exchange-Mr. S. Edgar in the chair. The Rev. J. G. Short delivered an excellent lecture on "Prohibition." A vote of thanks was passed to

Mr. Short, on the motion of Mr. Stevenson, seconded by Mr. William Church, Secretary of the Irish Temperance League. Mr. Short having acknowledged the vote of thanks, the meeting was closed with prayer.- -Friday evening, March 20, the monthly meeting of the Ladies' Union was held in the League Rooms. Mr. Wm. Church read a paper on The Trade of the Publican Injurious to the Community."- -The Belfast Total Abstinence Association continues to hold successful weekly meetings. During the month Mr. Reid, the agent, delivered the first of a series of Biographical lectures-subject, "George Stephenson."

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BALLYMENA.-Friday, 13th March, a large meeting was held in Ballymena. The lecturer was the Rev. J. G. Short, of Belfast. A large number signed the pledge. The active committee have decided on presenting each person who signs the pledge with a copy of our League Journal. This is an example worthy of imitation by Societies generally, Mr. Erwin, the Secretary, is the Agent of the Journal in Ballymena.

BRAY.-Thursday, March 19, a public meeting was held in the Court-house of Bray in furtherance of the Temperance cause-The Rev. W. Patterson, Presbyterian Minister, presided. The meeting was addressed by Mr. Payne, the newly-appointed agent of the Dublin Total Abstinence Society; by Mr. Robert Hunt, one of its Vice-Presidents; and by Mr. B. Benson, who is so well known throughout Ireland as a Temperance lecturer. The meeting was a most enthusiastic one, and much good was effected for the progress of the cause. CARRICKFERGUS.-Tuesday evening, 17th March, a public meeting was held in the Joymount Presbyterian Church, Carrickfergus. There were between 400 and 500 people present. The Rev. J. Warwick occupied the chair, and the Rev. R. Lewers delivered an appropriate address. At the close many remained to join the association. Mr. Bell, with his well-trained choir, gave some pieces of sacred music.

CLONES.-Friday, 14th March, the Clones Band of Hope held its first tea-meeting in the Town Hall of that town. The hall, which was very handsomely fitted up for the occasion, and decorated with numerous mottoes, was closely filled with a highly respectable and intelligent audience. A brass band was in attendance, and performed at intervals during the evening. After tea, the meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Hazleton, and the chair was occupied by Captain Foster. The Rev. Wesley Guard read the report, which was very satisfactory as to the past, and couched in hopeful terms as to the future. The meeting was addressed by Mr. R. A. Wilson, of Enniskillen; by Mr. Olley, of Omagh; and by Mr. Church, of Belfast. At the close of the meeting, a number of persons joined the Baud.

CORK.-Robert Scott, Esq., Alderman, President of the County and City of Cork Temperance Association, has erected a handsome bronze drinking fountain in the front of his business premises. He hopes by this means to keep his own workmen out of the public-house, and to preserve multitudes of other honest tradesmen from spending their hard-earned wages in the same pernicious place. On the front of the fountain the following inscription is handsomely executed in raised letters:-"He opened the rock and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river." Ps. 105-41.

CLOUGHANEELY TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.-The ordinary monthly meeting of this Association was recently held in the Temperance Hall, Falcaragh. W. Olphert, Esq., occupied the chair. The meeting having been opened with devotional exercises, the Chairman proceeded to address the meeting at considerable length, urging upon them the necessity of remaining firm by the principle of Total Abstinence. He hoped that all their differences would be forgotten, and that they would make " a long pull, and a strong pull, and a pull all together," in order to further the objects of their Society. Mr. James Irvine then delivered an exceedingly interesting address on the "Moral Evils of Intemperance," Mr. Richard Benson next addressed the meeting, and in a forcible manner showed the danger of tampering with strong drink. A vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr. John W. Benson, was passed with acclamation to the speakers. Master W. Olphert has been elected president in room of Mr. Swiney.

DUBLIN. Throughout the past month the weekly meetings of the Dublin Total Abstinence Society and of

TEMPERANCE PROGRESS.

the Cuffe Lane Society have been well attended. The former holds its meetings each Monday evening in the Merchants' Hall, opposite the Metal Bridge, and the latter on Sunday evenings in St. Patrick's School Room, Cuffe Lane. These are the only regular organizations in Dublin which keep up a weekly meeting and efficient monthly committees. Monday, 9th March, the meeting of the D.T.A.S. was attended and addressed by Mr. J. Pyper, Agent of the Irish Temperance League and Permissive Bill Association. As that old veteran in the cause, James Haughton, Esq., J.P., happened to be present, having come to show his interest in the League, as its agent was to lecture, he was called to the chair. Mr. Pyper spoke on "Alcohol as a Poison," and illustrated the subject with large colored diagrams of the stomach, showing the effects of alcoholic drinks on that organ, and thence on all the bodily system. At the close of the meeting, resolutions were unanimously passed in favour of the Permissive Bill, and a vote of thanks given with acclamation to Mr. Pyper. Mr. Haughton having been moved out of the chair, and Mr. J. A. Mowatt called thereto, the warmest thanks of the meeting were given to Mr. Haughton for his kindness in presiding.

-Thursday evening, 12th March, Mr. Pyper addressed a meeting in connexion with the Rev. Dr. Urwick's Church, York-street, when Mr. Fennell presided. Mr. Pyper exhibited the magic-lantern, with Cruikshank's "bottle' plates, which amused and instructed the young present.Friday evening, March 13, Mr. Pyper attended a soiree of the Society of Friends in their Institution, Molesworth-street. After tea, Mr. Charles G. Malone was called to the chair. Mr. Pyper addressed the meeting, and again exhibited the inagic-lantern. The meeting was also addressed by J. W. Rumsey, Esq., A.B., and at the close several gave in their names as abstainers, and others had their names removed from the Band of Hope list to that of the adult abstainers.

-Tuesday, 17th March, a meeting was held in the School Rooin of Mary's Abbey Presbyterian Church, when Mr. Breakey, one of the Superintendents of the Sunday School, presided. Mr. Pyper addressed the meeting with effect, and exhibited the magic-lantern. At the close forty-three signed the Total Abstinence pledge. Steps are being taken to have a monthly meeting organised in this place. These were the meetings conducted by Mr. Pyper in Dublin, besides which he visited several of the Ministers of other Churches, and endeavoured to stir them up in the Temperance cause.

Mr.

-Monday, March 23, a meeting of the Committee of the Alliance and other friends of the cause was held in the Alliance Offices, 12, Eustace-street, when the question of forming a branch committee of the Irish Temperance League in Dublin was taken up, and highly approved of, and steps taken to carry it out. Foley, Barrister-at-Law, and other gentlemen not previously connected with either the Alliance or League, were present, and warmly joined in the movement." is thought advisable to give up any separate Alliance organisation in Dublin, and to unite entirely with the Irish Temperance League and Permissive Bill Association, and thus carry out their object in union together. This is a step in the right direction.

It

DR. F. R. LEES IN DUBLIN.-Monday evening, March 16, a very large public meeting was held in the Metropolitan Hall, Dublin, in connexion with the Dublin Branch of the United Kingdom Alliance, when Dr. F. R. Lees, of Leeds, attended to advocate the Permissive Bill. The building was crowded on the occasion, there being nearly two thousand present. James Haughton, Esq., J.P., was called to the chair, and he read letters of apology from the Lord Mayor and the Recorder, expressing their inability to attend, and stating that they could not commit themselves to the Permissive Bill-the Lord Mayor stating that he was for free action and free trade. Dr. Lees, in the course of a very powerful lecture, showed that the Lord Mayor could not be for "free trade" in drink, inasmuch as he, as a Magistrate of Dublin, said who should and who should not have a license to sell drink, and if any one sold without a license they were fined heavily. There was no free trade in it, and no one wished for free trade in drinks, not even the licensed vinters of Dublin. Since the reign of Edward VI. there had been no free trade in strong drink, and since the year 1552 not less than 470 Acts of Parliament had been passed to try and regulate the trade; but they

59

had all failed to do so, simply because the traffic was wrong in itself. The Lord Mayor, Recorder, and Magistrates prohibited the sale of drinks in the squares, terraces, and other places, where the wealthy resided. This was not free trade. Then, what the United Kingdom Alliance asked was that the middle and humbler classes get a voice in saying whether they would have the whisky shops in their own localities, to which the Magistrates now sent the publicans. The working man had as good a right to this power of prohibition as the Lord Mayor. The lecture was a most masterly onethe very best of the many which we have heard the doctor deliver-and it was received with bursts of applause. Resolutions were passed with acclamation in favor of the Permissive Bill, and votes of thanks were given to Dr. Lees and to Mr. Haughton.- -Wednesday evening, March 18, Dr. Lees addressed a meeting of the Society of Friends, in Molesworth-street Institution, on "The Philosophy of Temperance." This lecture was a very able one, and was received with the most marked attention. After the lecture resolutions were passed in favor of the Permissive Bill, on the motion of Mr. Pyper. DOAGH.-Mr. Robert Stevenson, Honorary Deputation of the Irish Temperance League, delivered a highly interesting and instructive lecture, on Thursday evening, 5th March, in the Wesleyan Chapel, Doagh. Subject"Health and disease, with hints how to retain the one and remedy the other." The lecture was illustrated by beautifully colored diagrams. The Teetotal cause is making progress in this district.

DUNDALK.-This Society is still working on its way. It held its third annual meeting lately, and reported a good accession of members, though it also had to report a falling away. A meeting was held last month in the Cavalry Barracks, by the Rev. T. C. Laurence, when a number of the soldiers were enlisted in our cause. Society has been affiliated to the League.

The

ENNISKILLEN.-During the month several meetings have beeen attended by members of the Society in this place. In Swanlinbar, Messrs. Coalter and Wilson formed a branch society with fifty-four members. In Tempo, a deputation from the Enniskillen Band of Hope formed a branch with about forty members. In Derrrygonelly Mr. Wilson addressed the Young Men's Christian Association on Total Abstinence, and several joined the Band of Hope.

MAGILLIGAN.-Wednesday, March 11, Mr. Church delivered a lecture in Magilligan Presbyterian ChurchThe Rev. Mr. Butler presiding. The minister and many of his congregation are warm adherents of the Temperance cause, and the Secretary, Mr. Wm. Craig, is very zealous for the promotion of the good work.

NEWTOWNBUTLER.-On the evening of the 19th March the first meeting since the formation of the local Band of Hope was held in the Wesleyan Chapel. The meeting was opened by the Rev. W. Guard. The chair was occupied by Mr. Fowler, of Clones; and an able address was delivered by Mr. Wilson, of Enniskillen. At the close eighteen names were added to the Band,

NEWTOWNLIMAVADY.-Thursday, March 12, Mr. Wm. Church, Editor of the Journal, delivered a lecture to the members of the above association in the Rev. George Steen's Church, before a crowded house. Subject-"The Curse and its Cure." At the conclusion a vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by the Rev. W. C. Doonan in eloquent terms, and seconded by Mr. C. D. H. Campbell, Secretary of the Association.

SAINTFIELD. Wednesday evening, 18th March, a meeting was held in the First Presbyterian Church, Saintfield. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. G. R. Moore, after which the Rev. S. Hamilton introduced the Rev. Robert Lewers, temperance agent, to the meeting. At the conclusion of his address fiftyone signed the total abstinence pledge.

SCOTLAND.

The cause is getting on here very encouragingly. The Scottish Permissive Bill and Temperance Association seems to be maintaining an onward progress, all the more gratifying that it is steady. During the present month, in addition to the great help received from friends and the occasional lecturing of the Secretary, the Agent, Mr. Court, has been very successful in the Shetland and Orkney Islands, in the Counties of Caithness, Inverness, and Elgin. We are glad to find indications of Electoral organization in Scotland.

60

FAMILY PASTIME, HOUSEWIFE'S CORNER, AND “OUR CORRESPONDENTS."

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ENIGMAS, CHARADES, REBUSES, &c.

14-My first to all living creatures is dear,

My second yields comfort in many a sphere;
My whole is oft hailed with intensest delight,
When the storm and the tempest the bravest affright.
15-Where tender herbage flourished in the field,
My first prepared her offering to yield;
But when the maid had done her office well
Occurred my second on the ground she fell;
No one was witness this, oh who could bear,
Yet was my whole a sweet wild flower there.
16-Mary, darling, let us rove

Where the flowers are twining,
Lightsome as in yonder grove,
My first, who's said with smiles of love
To dance, when Luna's shining.
No fairer flower than you I see
Within my second blowing;
No brighter form can ever be
Within my whole-and yet for me
Are you, sweet Mary, glowing!
17-I'm seen on your hands;

I'm seen on your feet;
I'm found in a door,

A table, and seat:

In some I've a head,

Which is beaten full well;
In others I've more-
My name can you tell?

18-As an insect, I'm hated

By woman and man,
Who chase me, and kill me
Whenever they can :
As a cunning machine,
I am gazed on with joy;
Stand me up, and I live;
Lay me down, and I die

ANSWERS TO ENIGMAS, &o.

No. 7-Farewell. 8-Sole. 9-Pit. 10-Nephalism. 11Newspaper. 12-Because it is on its guard. 13-The child fourteen and the father seventy.

ACTING CHARADE.

CO-NUN-DRUM.-1st scene-Co. may be represented by a partnership either of ladies or gentlemen, of course got up for some amusing speculation. 2nd scene-Nun, a reception of a young lady taking the veil amidst weeping friends. 3rd scene -Drum, a party of soldiers leaving town playing "The girl I left behind me," or some popular air, followed by their friends and sweethearts. 4th scene and last-A conundrum proposed for solution in a small tea party. These scenes can be varied or enlarged upon, according to the taste of the company.

Housewife's Corner.

FOOD IN SEASON.-Fish-Salmon, prawns, skate, tench, cod, trout, lobsters, crabs, cockles, &c. Meat-Beef, grass lamb, house lamb, veal, pork, mutton. Poultry and GameChickens, ducklings, fowls, green geese, leverets, pigeons, rabbits, turkey-poults, wood-pigeons. Vegetables-Asparagus, brocoli, lettuce, onions, parsley, peas, small salad, rhubarb, &c. Fruit-Apples, nuts, oranges.

CARVING.

Fish-Cods head and shoulders. The thick part of the back is best. It should be carved in unbroken slices, and accompanied by a bit of the sound. The tongue and palate are considered delicacies, and are obtained by passing the slice or spoon into the mouth. Joints Quarter of lamb. Cut off the shoulder from the breast. Then separate the brisket, and serve from either parts as desired. We may here remark let the carver always have plenty of room.

RECEIPTS.

Rhubarb Pie.-Peel the rhubarb, then cut into small pieces, and put in a dish (without water); add plenty of sugar; cover in the ordinary way with paste, and bake for about half an hour in a quick oven.

To Preserve Rhubarb-Take one pound of the finest rhubarb peeled, and cut into pieces, three-quarters of a pound of white sugar, and the rind and juice of one lemon. The rind cut into narrow stripes. Put all into a preserving-pan. Simmer gently until the rhubarb is quite soft. Take it out with a silver spoon, and put into jars. Then boil the syrup, say, one hour, and pour it over the fruit. When cold tie it up in the usual way.

Rice Bread.-Take one pound and a half of rice, and boil it gently over a slow fire in three quarts of water about five hours, stirring it, and afterwards beating it up into a smooth paste. Mix this while warm into two gallons, or four pounds of flour, adding at the same time the usual quantity of yeast. Allow the dough to work a certain time near the fire, after which divide it into loaves, and it will be found, when baked, to produce twenty-eight or thirty pounds of excellent white bread.

To Clean Hair Brushes.-As hot water and soap very soon soften the hairs, and rubbing completes their destruction, use soda, dissolved in cold water, instead; soda having an affinity for grease, it cleans the brush with little friction. Do not set them near the fire, nor in the sun, to dry, but after shaking them well, set them on the point of the handle in a shady place.

To Take out Stains from Mahogany Furniture.-Stains and spots may be taken out of mahogany furniture by the use of a little aquafortis or oxalic acid and water, by rubbing the part with the liquid, by means of a cork, till the color is restored; observing afterwards to well wash the wood with water, and to dry and polish as usual.

Bugs.-Spirits of naptha rubbed with a small painter's brush into every part of a bedstead is a certain way of getting rid of bugs. The mattress and binding of the bed should be examined, and the same process attended to, as they generally harbour more in these parts than in the bedstead. Three pennyworth of naphtha it sufficient for one bed.

To Prevent Mice Taking Peas.-Previous to the peas being sown, they should be well saturated with a solution of bitter aloes; or they may be saturated with salad oil, and then rolled in some powdered resin previous to sowing, and the mice will not touch them.

Our Correspondents.

S.S.-We are not to be supposed as endorsing all the views put forward by writers in the Journal,

H.C.-Thanks for the sketch "Little Willie." The story is a very painful one, and we shall endeavour to make good use of it on a future occasion.

D.B. The paper shall have a prominent place in our next

number.

"Tempt none to Drink."-The aim of the writer of the article is excellent. A little more practice will enable "S.A.L." to write with clearness and force.

"An Old Man's Story."-We have not space at present for this tale. We would like to see the entire MS. before deciding as to its publication or otherwise.

C.-The Alliance News is always on sale at the offices of the Irish Temperance League.

H.F. Dr. Lees is a member of the United Church of England and Ireland. He is likely to visit Enniskillen.

H.P.-Declined with thanks.

J.S.-Your ideas are good, but not well put together. Go on and prosper. We will be glad to hear from you soon again. JAMES.-Poetry declined with thanks.

R.C.-We will be glad to have further contributions, but aim to make them suitable to our Journal.

MARY.—We like our lady friends specially to contribute.

We are compelled to defer No. 2 of "Judge Crampton and the Rise of the Temperance Reformation."

THE IRISH

Temperance League Journal

VOL. I.]

MAY, 1863.

Suppression of the Liquor Traffic.

By the Rev. JAMES MORGAN, D.D.

WHAT! Do you mean to say that you are going to interfere with the trade of the country? We are free men and have a right to employ our capital as we think proper, and as shall best reward our industry. Your proposal to dictate to us in what concerns our business is presumptuous, unjust, and intolerable; and we warn you to desist. Let us reason on the subject calmly and fairly, and see what is for your interest and ours, and that of the whole community; what is right in the sight of God and of unprejudiced and reasonable

men.

The very basis of the distinction between civilized life and savagism consists in a common agreement to adopt and submit to a code of wise and equitable laws: This is essential to the peace and well-being and prosperity of any community. But what does it imply? It takes for granted that every member of it submits to the judgment and authority of the whole, in all things comprehended in the laws by which they have agreed to be bound. This is indisputable. For the sake of all, each member of the community agrees to sacrifice something. That every man shall do whatsoever is right in his own eyes is inadmissible. Every man is subject to authority; and the glory of our own country is its reverence for the laws and obedience to them.

It is easy to illustrate this general statement by particular examples. A revenue is required for the maintenance of the Government of the land, and it is agreed to lay a taxation on food and clothing, and the other necessaries of life. No reasonable member of the community thinks of resisting such an impost. He may object to specific arrangements and seek to have them changed, but no one objects to the principle on which claims are made on the community. This is not all. The Government of the country often interposes and authoritatively forbids what it considers to be injurious to the interests of the community. It will not permit any of its subjects to defend themselves against acts of violence, by returning injury for injury according to their passion or pleasure. They must seek that counsel and protection of those who are appointed to administer the laws, and submit to their decision. This supreme authority is extended even to the exercise of speech, and we are held responsible for our words and may be punished for the use of them. The law of libel is universally known and justified. If we speak evil of others, we make ourselves liable to punishment.

[No. 4.

And no one argues that this is an unjust interference with the liberty of the subject. It is still more to the point, considering the purpose of these illustrations, to remark that certain practices of trade, which some would desire to pursue as they thought proper, are restrained or forbidden altogether. In all countries there are articles declared to be contraband. Some must not be carried on the open sea, except under stringent regulations. And others must not be sold in our shops except under the same. The apothecary is obliged to put a label on his poisons, and sell them to such persons and in such quantities only as the law prescribes. If he disposes of them not in accordance with law, but after his own pleasure, he is held accountable for the injurious effects that may follow, and is liable to be punished. When it was found that gambling-houses were a source of temptation and injury to the community, our legislators interfered and forbade their continuance. The prize-ring, though the desired amusement of many, is illegal, and the police are charged to bring up for trial those who may enter into it. Even the sale of intoxicating drinks, with which we are at present more immediately concerned, has always been more or less taken under the cognizance and restraint of the law. No one is permitted to sell them without special license to do so. The whole question, therefore, as it affects them, is one of degree merely and not of principle. The principle is settled that the Government may properly interfere with their sale, and the only question that remains is, to what extent this interference may be carried. May it justly forbid the sale altogether? Or shall it lay it under restrictions that will render it harmless? No one proposes to forbid the sale, but many believe the time has come when it should be placed under restrictions far more stringent than have ever been adopted in this country. It is a growing conviction that it is the duty of our legislators to consider what is for the interests of the community in this matter, and to determine and act accordingly. Alcohol may be required as other poisons are, for various purposes, and means, therefore, must be used to provide and obtain it. But while a wise and tolerant Government puts it within the reach of the community for all necessary purposes, it is equally a duty to withold it, and not allow it to come into the hands of those who seek and use it for purposes injurious to themselves and others. As the law now is, it is widely and constantly used for great hurt to the community. It is, therefore, the duty of the Legislature to interpose, and to do so authoritatively.

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SUPPRESSION OF THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

In plain terms, the public houses of the land have become so many centres of demoralization and destruction, and a paternal Government ought not to tolerate them longer. The Upas tree that spreads its deleterious influence all around is cut down, and the open public house, that invites all passers-by to enter, ought to be closed. Alcohol is a poison, and ought to be treated as such. We ask only that as the dispenser of poisons is bound and watched, and punished according to law, so shall it be with the dispenser of Alcohol. Care is taken who shall sell laudanum and prussic acid, and all such dangerous medicine, and strict rules are laid down in accordance with which they must be disposed of-and this is what we ask for in the case of Alcohol. The necessary change is that it shall be placed under the charge of well-chosen and trusty servants of the Government, who shall have good understanding and steadfast principle to dispose of it only for its legitimate use, and no personal or pecuniary interest in the amount of its sale. Nothing will suffice to correct and destroy the disastrous use of Alcohol as it is now encouraged by our public houses, but the suppression of the liquor traffic. And we now proceed to adduce some specific reasons why this great change should at length be accomplished by the authority of law.

In the first place, intoxicating drinks are not required by the community for food. They do not make those who use them stronger. This is proved by the fact that those who have avoided or discontinued the use of them are the most vigorous aud strong and long-lived. It would be an interesting thing to gather and examine statistics on this question. We are willing to have the question tried by this test. We are confident the more fully facts can be ascertained, the stronger the argument would become for the entire disuse of intoxicating drinks. It is well known how careful is the enquiry now into the habits of all applicants to companies for life assurance. Whenever it can be told that the applicant is a total abstainer, his case is strengthened. Was it ever made an objection that he used no stimulants? Never! This is proof how the unbiased judgment decides the question. The same result is found in other departments of society. There are now temperance sailors and soldiers, and we are willing to place them in contrast to their companions who are not abstainers. Who has not heard of Havelock and his Highlanders in the Indian mutiny? In all ways and forms and places, abstinence from intoxicating drinks has been tried and proved to be the better way. Judges, lawyers, clergymen, merchants, mechanics, labourers, men of literature and science, all conditions and classes, have tested it by their experience and witness for its excellence. No plea, therefore, can be set up for the public house on the ground of necessity. The community do not need intoxicating drinks for food, and a paternal Government is not under any necessity to provide them.

Again, it is not enough to say they are not required, for while they are unnecessary for the purpose of food, they are most dangerous and injurious. Go through the community and where you find poverty and rags, and misery, in how many instances have all these arisen from the public house? In our large towns especially, where employment is abundant, this is the one and almost exclusive source of wretchedness. Go into the families of the land, and where you find the bad husband, the slattern wife, the disobedient son, the dishonoured daughter, the unfaithful servant, enquire into the cause, and you will discover that, in the majority of instances, they have been originated, or fostered, or matured, by the public house. Go and search the records of the Church, and when you read of the degradation of the minister or the expulsion of the member, trace the reason and you will track the unhappy one to the public house, in nine cases out of ten. The public house is at this moment the greatest calamity in the United Kingdom. It is the principal cause of vice

and distress. All men know it is so, if they have only been at pains to enquire and are concerned for the good of the community, and candid enough to admit the truth. One thing is undoubted, that the trade has lost its respectability in the estimation of the public. The old adage is now understood in a new application,"publicans and sinners." It is assumed that those who would maintain a fair name will not engage in this traffic. A good man does not like to be seen entering a public house. Whence is this change in the public feeling From the exposure that has been made of the fearful doings of these abodes of evil, there is a rising tide of indignation that will not long bear with them. The inscription now written upon them is what was of old on the prophet's roll-" weeping, lamentation, and woe." The time is coming when the public voice will require the Government of the country to interpose as it has never yet done. Nothing will satisfy but the removal of these traps for the unwary. The Government must not allow these any more than other snares to be laid for the community. This will soon be the question for the hustings, and assuredly the sooner it is so the better.

Once more, so far as legislation has been tried on this question, it has been successful. The history of Forbes M'Kenzie's Act, as it is called from its author, is well known. It was passed to curtail the times for the sale of intoxicating drinks in Scotland. The whole of the Sabbath day was excluded, and the morning hours of every day, as well as those of the late evening. The results have proved to be most encouraging, and the discovery of the proof is curious. The publicans petitioned the Parliament for an enquiry into the working of the act, hoping to prove it had been a failure, or perhaps expecting that some confusion might arise that would lead to its abolition. Their request for inquiry was granted, but it has turned out to be with vengeance upon them. The results have been shown to be most satisfactory in the improved morality and prosperity of the country. Precisely as the sale of intoxicating drinks has been hindered, so has the country advanced in the elements of national goodness and greatness. The author of the wise act is dead, but his works remain to praise him, and for them many will rise up to call him blessed. A similar appeal might be made to some measures of the British Parliament in raising the price of Alcohol and increasing the difficulty of indulging in the use of it. For, all such steps, though coming short of what is necessary, are tending in the right direction. The benefits of restrictive legislation are proved to a demonstration. The friends of abstinence should, therefore, persevere to enlighten and agitate the public mind. They have ample encouragement from the past to do so for the future. And, assured that they pursue a a right object, they should never cease until the Government of the country is constrained to close the public houses.

And this suggests another argument. Their removal would be a benefit to the revenue of the land as well as to the people. It is a wondrous delusion that has long and often been practised, when it has been taught and believed that the public houses were advantageous to the revenue. It is the very reverse. The late Judge Crampton proved, by all the sufficiency of figures, that the whole trade entailed a loss and not a gain on the Government. The expense arising out of intoxicating drinks is enormous in courts of law, officers to serve in them, prisons, poor-houses, lunatic asylums, police, and chaplains. We have seen it stated that two millions of paupers, drunkards, pickpockets, lunatics, and prisoners in the United Kingdom, required a staff of 4,000 gaolers, 500 chaplains, 40 judges. 80,000 lawyers and clerks, with 100,000 policemen to keep them in subjection! What is the expense of all these officers to the Government? This is no small reduction to the revenue. Besides, consider the amount of loss to the resources of the country and its revenue by the loss of time arising out

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