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THE IRISH

Temperance League Journal.

No. 5.]

MAY, 1864.

[VOL. II.

The Progress of the Permissive Hill. the ratepayers or householders,—those assessed for

On the 10th March, leave was given, by a majority of 70 to 36, to bring in this bill, and it now stands for second reading on the 8th June. That all our readers may have the opportunity of becoming personally acquainted with the enactments of the bill which we urge them to uphold and petition for, we subjoin a copy in full. The friends of temperance throughout the country are under deep obligations to Mr. Wilfrid Lawson, and the United Kingdom Executive, for the skill with which they have drawn up the measure. It will be seen that the bill does not propose, in any way, to alter or repeal the existing laws in regard to the restrictions on the liquor traffic. The passing of the measure will not affect, in the slightest degree, any districts, save those in which it is adopted and has become popular, since a majority of two-thirds of the rate payers of any place is required previous to the introduction there of the Permissive Law.

Remembering this, we cannot but hold ourselves completely at issue with the Observer newspaper, and with other organs which take the same tone, when they regard the bill as a tyrannical measure, designed to deprive the honest tradesman of his beer and spirits in a district of perhaps a large extent, for the sake of preventing excess in the few who drink to excess. "The few" -we read the words with some astonishment at first, which only subsided when we recollected that the scribe has probably lived in a narrow circle of his own, where, out of a number of men of letters and parts, "only a few" are drunkards. Without dwelling on the question whether it is not worth while to deprive a number of a luxury for the sake of snatching from "a few" a poison, we would remind those who speak and who write in this strain, that the measure, should it become law, applies in no degree to any district which does not voluntarily ask for its adoption; a plan which, as we believe, effectually neutralizes the objection of the Observer, that you are forcing a majority for the sake of a few. The contrary is the fact; the majority is required before the bill can be adopted; the majority, that is to say, of

poor-rates in a district. The Observer candidly observes that in his opinion the reformation of drunkards is almost hopeless; and, while seeking to blow Mr. Lawson's bill to the winds, has no project, public or private, to take its place; and this, while deploring, with real or affected earnestness, the curse of the demon drink.

It is, as we have before pointed out, humanly speaking, impossible that any extended and permanent reformation in the drinking habits of the nation should take place without the combined action of legislative measures and total abstinence agitation. A limitation in the number of publichouses would tell but little on the amount of drink consumed in a town or village, unless private efforts were at the same time made, to induce men to avoid those houses which still remained licensed; for those who would drink could, even if the public-houses were shut up, get from the next parish (which refused admittance to the bill), the drink they wished, or could go there and tipple their fill; while a mere temperance or total abstinence agitation, unconnected or unaccompanied by any legislative enactment, would limit the efficiency of total abstinence societies by still leaving the great source of temptation in full power.

It is, therefore, with much interest, not altogether devoid of hopefulness, that we look forward to the result of the second reading of Mr. Lawson's bill, but we would remind our readers again, that even should it not become law at this time, the ventilation of the subject in the House of Commons can scarcely fail to do a considerable amount of good.

MR. LAWSON'S BILL

TO ENABLE OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS OF PROPERTY IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS TO PREVENT THE COMMON SALE OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS WITHIN THEIR DISTRICT. WHEREAS the common sale of intoxicating liquors is a fruitful source of crime, immorality, pauperism, disease, insanity, and premature death, whereby not only the individuals who give way to drinking habits are plunged into misery, but grievous wrong is done to the persons and property of her Majesty's subjects at large, and the public rates and taxes are greatly augmented; and whereas it is right and expedient to

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THE PROGRESS OF THE PERMISSIVE BILL.

confer upon the ratepayers of cities, boroughs, parishes, and townships, the power to prohibit such common sale as aforesaid

Be it therefore enacted by the Queen's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:

act it shall be lawful for

I. At any time from and after the passing of this or more ratepayers residing in any municipal borough or parish, by notice in writing under their hands to require the mayor of such municipal borough or the overseers of the poor of such parish, to take the votes of the ratepayers of such municipal borough or parish respectively, as to the propriety of bringing into operation therein the provisions of this act; and the mayor or overseers as aforesaid, within days of receiving such requisition, shall cause a public notice to be fixed on or near to the town hall of such borough, and on or near to the outer and principal door of every church or chapel within such borough or parish, and shall also cause notice to be inserted in some newspaper published in such borough or parish, or, if there be none so published, in some newspaper published in the county in which such borough or parish is situate, specifying on what day, not earlier than days after the publi

cation of the said notices, the ratepayers of such borough or parish are required to signify their votes for or against the adoption of this act.

II. Every person who is rated to the relief of the poor, or entitled to vote in the election of guardians of the poor, for the borough or parish in which the votes are to be taken, shall be entitled to one vote for or against the adoption of this act.

III. The mayor of such borough, or the overseers of such parish, shall cause voting papers in the form contained in the Schedule A, to this act annexed, to be prepared, and shall, three days before the day appointed for voting as aforesaid, cause one of such papers to be delivered at the residence of each person entitled to vote as aforesaid; and each voter shall upon the voting paper so delivered, signify by writing the word yes or no upon the said paper, and by sign. ing his name thereto whether he votes for or against the adoption of this act. Provided always, that if any voter cannot write, he shall affix his mark at the foot of the voting paper in the presence of a witness, who shall fill up the voting paper in the presence of the voter, and shall attest and write the name of the voter upon the same.

IV. The mayor of such borough, or the overseers of such parish, shall cause the voting papers to be collected on the day appointed for the voting as aforesaid, by persons employed by them for the purpose, as he or they shall direct; but no voting paper shall be received or admitted, unless the same have been delivered at the residence of the voter as aforesaid, nor unless the same be collected by the persons so employed for that purpose. Provided always, that if any person qualified to vote shall not have received a voting paper as aforesaid, he shall on application on or before the day of voting to the said mayor or overscers, be entitled to receive a voting paper, and to fill up or sign the same in his or their presence, and then and there deliver the same to him or them. Provided also, that in case any voting paper duly delivered shall not have been duly collected through the default of the said persons so employed to collect the same, the voter in person may deliver the same to the said mayor or overseers, before twelve at noon on the day following the day of voting.

V. The mayor of such borough or the overseers of such parish shall, after twelve at noon on the day immediately following the day of voting, examine the

said votes, and shall declare as hereafter mentioned whether a majority of duly qualified votes has been given in favor of the adoption of this act, and the adoption or non-adoption of this act, within such borough or parish shall depend on such majority of votes. Provided always that this act shall not be adopted within such borough or parish unless at least two-thirds of the aggregate number of votes so given as aforesaid be in favor thereof.

VI. If any person fabricates, in whole or in part, or alters, defaces, destroys, abstracts, or purloins any voting paper, or personates any person entitled to vote in pursuance of this act, or falsely assumes to act in the name or on behalf of any person so entitled to vote, or interrupts the distribution of any voting papers, or distributes the same under false pretences of being lawfully authorized so to do, he shall for every such offence be liable on conviction before two justices, to be imprisoned in the common gaol or house of correction for any period not exceeding three months, with or without hard labour.

VII. The mayor of such borough or the overseers of such parish shall, if this act be adopted as afore. said, immediately give notice thereof by affixing the same on or near to the town-hall in such borough, and to the outer and principal doors of every church and chapel in such borough or parish, and shall immediately give notice thereof to her Majesty's principal Secretary of State for the Home Department and to the Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue, and deliver to the clerk to the justices acting in and for such borough or for the district or division in which such borough or parish is situated, a certificate in writing of the adoption of the act, to be by the said clerk recorded and preserved; which certificate or a copy thereof certified by the said clerk of the justices shall be conclusive evidence in any proceedings under or by virtue of this act, that this act was duly adopted within the said borough or parish.

VIII. If the ratepayers of any such borough or parish shall determine in manner aforesaid against the adoption of this act, it shall not be lawful within one year after such determination again to take the votes of the ratepayers of such borough or parish as to the propriety of bringing into operation therein the provisions of the said act.

IX. If the ratepayers of such borough or parish shall determine in manner aforesaid in favor of the adoption of this act, it shall be lawful after the expi ration of three years from the commencement of this act coming into operation for any ratepayers of

such borough or parish, again to call upon the mayor of the borough or the overseers of the poor of the parish again to take the votes of the borough or pa rish in like manner as herein before provided for the adoption of this act, and the continuance, or otherwise, of the operation of this act within borongh or parish shall be determined by a majority of the votes so given.

X. From and after the time limited for the commencement of this act in any borough or parish as herein before provided, no license whatever shall be granted or renewed for the sale of alcoholic liquor within such borough or parish; and, any person selling or disposing of any alcoholic liquor within such borough or parish, shall be dealt with as selling without license, and shall be subject to all the penalties provided for such an offence, under any act or acts of Parliament regulating the sale of alcoholic liquors which may be in force at the time of the adoption of this act. Provided nevertheless that nothing herein contained shall affect any rights or privileges conferred or enjoyed by virtue of any license current or in force at the date of this act during its said currency; and that nothing herein contained shall be

THE FORMATION OF TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETIES IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS. 67

held to affect any sales made under the provisions of any statute permitting the sale of methylated spirits for use in the arts and manufactures of the United Kingdom.

XI. In the construction of this act, the following words and expressions shall have the following meanings assigned to them respectively :-"Municipal borough" shall mean city, borough, burgh, or any corporate town. "Parish" shall mean any parish, township, village, tithing, extra parochial place or place maintaining its own poor. Mayor" shall mean also provost, high constable, high bailiff, baron bailie, or other chief officer of any city or borough. "Overseers of the poor," shall mean any person authorised and required to make and collect the rates for the relief of the poor and acting as overseers of the poor. "Alcoholic liquors" shall include all spirituous liquors, wine, ale, beer, cider, perry, and every description of intoxicating liquors.

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TAKE NOTICE.-." If any person wilfully commits any of the acts following, that is to say, fabricates in whole or in part, alters, defaces, destroys, abstracts, or purloins any voting paper, or personates any person entitled to vote in pursuance of this act, or falsely assumes to act in the name or on the behalf of any person so entitled to vote, or interrupts the distribution of any voting papers, or distributes the same under a false pretence of being lawfully authorised so to do, he shall for every such offence be liable, on conviction before two justices, to be imprisoned in the common gaol or house of correction for any period not exceeding three months, with or without hard labour."

(Signed by the mayor or other officer.)

INTEMPERANCE HEREDITARY.- It is a remarkable fact that all the diseases from drinking spirituous or fermented liquors are liable to become hereditary, even to the third generation, gradually increasing, if the cause be continued, till the family becomes extinct. -Dr. Darwin.

The Formation of Total Abstinence Societies in Country Districts.

WE are always in favor of giving a practical turn to counsels on the subject of Total Abstinence and every other good thing. So we sit down to write a practical paper on this subject.

It is not in every place that the leading man or men, the rector, the squire, the justices of the peace, are in favour of a temperance reformation. In fewer places still will these persons be total abstainers themselves. But it is satisfactory to find (as we do from records in the "Church of England Temperance Magazine'") that 500 of the Episcopal clergy in Great Britain and Ireland are abstainers.

We would recommend that wherever-in town or country-a person of influence sees the evils of intemperance, the blighting effects of publichouses, the fruits of sinful indulgence in strong drink, he should seriously ask himself whether it does not devolve on him, as a centre of influence, to take active steps to resist these evils. And when he resolves to do something, and asks what he must do, we do not think it possible for him to give any other answer than this:-Endeavor to make drunkards and moderate drinkers total abstainers; to induce young men and women, for the sake of personal security and good example, to take a similar pledge; to unite the children in some society of the nature of a Band of Hope; and lastly (but not because it is of least importance), become himself an abstainer.

Such is to be the general aim of the local philanthropist; and, by-the-bye, if there were local philanthropists everywhere, most home societies for doing good in Great Britain would become superfluous.

But he must begin by degrees. He must have patience. He must begin with faith and prayer. It is with drunkenness in the two-fold aspect of a sin and a social evil that he is to deal. And if he be the minister of the parish or district he will regard the first of these as even of greater importance than the second; just as eternity is of more importance than time.

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We know of no work of this character more deserving of imitation and more useful as pointing out steps to be taken and paths to be avoided, than that of Mrs. C. E. Wightman, as described in "Haste to the Rescue," and Annals of the Rescued." It will be seen that she worked upwards from the effects to the cause, from the evil to the remedy. She did not start as a fanatic in total abstinence; she "hated the very name of the pledge" when she began, but ere many weeks she was driven to take it herself. This renders this lady's testimony and example of double value. And this is one grand argument for the pledge. If in any small population a movement be set on foot to reform drunkards by a pledge, and if none but drunkards are asked to sign it, no signatures in all probability will be taken; your pledge-book and pile of cards will lie on your shelf. For every man who signs, by the act brands himself before all as a drunkard, and few are willing to do this. Therefore, others should sign, and, put it as you will on the ground of per

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sonal security, or of example (it is both), the temperate young men and others of the neighborhood should be urged to give up their moderate drinking for the sake of the poor drunkards.

The village reformer for whom we write, be he clergyman or layman, should, in our opinion, begin thus:-First, let him prayerfully sign the pledge himself, and then let him call a meeting together, and put shortly the facts of the case before it; pointing out the two main arguments: viz. that there is no doubt that a drunkard who becomes a total abstainer is cured, and therefore that in cases where the pledge is kept, there is a perfect cure effected, and next, that others, for the reasons alleged, should sign also, in order to induce drunkards to sign.

The next step to be taken is, to have meetings of the members from time to time. In the first enthusiasm of the society it will probably be proposed to hold weekly meetings; experience, however, would suggest that monthly gatherings are enough.

Working people find it tiring to go out too often in the evening, and it is only in the evenings that they can be collected at all. We should suggest, therefore, that during the first week in each month a meeting of abstainers should be called, and that non-abstainers should be also invited to be present.

At these meetings this should be made the prominent thought:-"This reform cannot be carried out without the help of God through the great Friend of Sinners; therefore the tone of the meetings, and of the whole society, should be religious." For this cause we should urge that meetings be begun with prayer, having special reference to intemperance as a sin and social crime; and asking strength from above to help all the members to be true to their principles.

A pledge book should be obtained; the pledge administered in the following form, or one equivalent to it :-"We, the undersigned, hereby promise to abstain from all intoxicating liquors as beverages, and to promote temperance."

Rules of the society, few and simple, should be added or introduced at the beginning, which rules should be read at every meeting. They explain to others what they are expected to do as abstainers, and may be so drawn up as to convey strikingly the reasons for total abstinence. Cards of membership having a corresponding pledge printed on them, should be given to members.

At the meetings, after prayer has been offered up, and if convenient, a hymn to Almighty God sung, the conductor should read, or all should read consecutively, a passage of Holy Scripture and the president should select a passage suitable to the poorest understanding of those present. The stories of the Old Testament, and the Parables and Miracles of the New, are as interesting to working men as to children, and often quite as

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books bearing on the subject. Mrs. Wightman's books, and Mrs. Bailey's; Tweedie's, Jarrold's, and Partridge's, publications, now give a nearly boundless range for selection. And, perhaps, few methods of interesting the meeting in a country district, will tell better than that of reading aloud in an intelligent lively manner, some of the stories bearing on the subject, from the "Penny Readings" of Partridge, or from the "Household Tracts" of Jarrold. Occasionally, a conversation meeting is good, at which general subjects might be freely talked about, and tea or coffee as freely taken. The president should not erect himself above his meeting, either in his conversation or his chair; a great deal is gained for the general success of the cause, by his appearing as "one of them."

These meetings furnish a special opportunity for the enrolment of new members, and it should be one of the rules" that all members shall regularly attend the meetings." It is found that where poor men are not looked after, either by personal visits or by meetings, or both, they after a while drop off the society; while regular meetings keep up the esprit de corps, and are useful as opportunities for prayer for strength from Him without whom "nothing is strong, nothing is holy."

The occasional visit of a temperance advocate to address a public meeting in the place, will, if the speaker be an able and interesting one, kindle new feeling in favor of the movement, and will spread the knowledge of the subject amongst a wider and wider circle. The Irish Temperance League sends such public speakers to address meetings in various places, and a list of such meetings held, appended to the present number of this Magazine, will show how extensive the labours of the League are.

We have dwelt on but one topic in connection with the effort to promote temperance in country places. Several others remain to be discussed. Bands of hope; mothers' meetings; the adoption of the Permissive Bill, should it become law; to these we hope to address ourselves in a future number.

A Ship's Fate.

SHE sails upon an ocean thick with dangers,
A very noble bark,

And steers her way amid a fleet of strangers;
While all gaze on and mark.

With wondrous treasure is this vessel freighted,
Borne from the distant mines;
Her canvas, with the breeze of heaven inflated,
Bright as the sun that shines.

Away, away across the blue sea bounding-
Chasing the rushing waves-

While wind and rope, and wave, their chorus sounding,
Sing to the distant caves.

Fresh in the morning is the wind that's blowing;
Fresh in the noon-day while the sun is high;
For every sheet is taut, a crisp sea flowing,
A favoring tide, and an unclouded sky.

* See Article in March Number.

We beg to recommend amongst these latter, the tract, "That Sight has Saved me." Price 1d. In packets of 12 one shilling. Free by post from Jarrold & Sons, Norwich.

THE SHADOW OF ST. SEPULCHRE'S.

And down below, a score of jolly sailors,
And up aloft, a good half-dozen more;
Of yarn and pipe and song no mean retailers,
But wholesale hearties as the best on shore.

They like their biscuit, with a drop to soften,
And give the tasteless bread a little spice;
And if they ask a treat, it is not often,

Yet sailors, like land-lubbers, know what's nice.

So on sailed "Anna Lee" with all her timbers
Staunch as her captain's chest of heart-of-oak,
Till one dark day that every one remembers,
When autumn morn like winter twilight broke.

September sixth, by the ship's log, was breaking,
The red sun rose, then hid himself away,
And Captain John, his early breakfast taking,
Said to the steward, "We shall not mess to-day.

I never knew that sun rise in September

But some foul work was done before the night; And though I'm no grey-beard, I can remember

A few year's longer than you'd think I might." "Aye, aye, sir," said the steward with due precision, His total creed being just his captain's word (For stewards, like miners, are of narrow vision; Seamen, not sailors, they're a hybrid herd.) "Skipper! all hands on deck to shorten sail! Pipe down the stu'n-sails, and top-gallants all, If I mistake not, we shall have a gale."

Aye, aye, sir; and to prove it here's a squall!" Fast on the rigging swarmed the ready hands, Down dropped the canvas, flapping in the wind, Obedient to the skipper's shrill commands,

They knew their work and did it with a mind.
Then on the deck again the hands are crowded,
Just as the black storm-cloud is hurrying on-
Just as the thundering hail-storm has enshrouded
The black hull of the Anna, Captain John.
Scudding before the gale under bare poles,
The naked ship is flying, riding high
The black and seething sea, with forty souls
Calm, as on land, beneath that horrid sky.
Crash goes the ceaseless thunder overhead,
Roaring unsatisfied from cloud to cloud,
With echoes fit to raise the sleeping dead,

A hundred fathom deep in sea-weed shroud.
Blue lightnings searched the crevices of heaven,
Quivered from storm above to storm below;
And bursting clouds, their mighty sides all riven,
Revealed within their wild and furnace glow.
There, 'mid the fire and hail, the helms-man stands
(The captain's at his side) with hard-knit brow,
And now the wheel flies hotly through his hands,
As swerves the ship, sea-struck upon the bow.
Crash! splinters glowing strew the hissing deck;
The bolt of heaven has shivered the main-truck;
And an unearthly flame--a distant speck

Burns bluely where the ship has just been struck. Flash! crash! again those ceaseless lightnings tear The well-tarred rigging from the scorching mast; A sheet of flame flings out its horrid glare:

Good Lord! so sudden! is this hour their last? "The ship's in flames! skipper, twelve hands to throw The powder overboard, or we're dead men!" Down to the hold all fearlessly they go,

Lost in the smoke and glare, and scorning pain.

Oh! 'twas a fatal moment. That command
Sent them to face a perilous powder store;
But in the hold beside, there lay at hand
Another danger which imperilled more.

There, side by side, the powder and the cask
Of captain's rum, with body rich and rare.
Accursed be the hand that threw a flask

Beside the opened butt, and left it there!

One after other, passionately filling

The fatal flask, each drank the bumper down ;— The fearful heat-drops all the while distilling From every brow, into the liquor brown.

Now to the work!-but no; the reeling crowd Stood helpless, swaying, rolling in the hold. Then shrilled the pipe on deck! the call was loud, But drowned in thunder that above them rolled.

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They carried not the powder from the store;
The boatswain stood above and piped them up;
They heard him not, but fought and clutched for more,
And tore each other's hair to catch the cup.
Then onward moved the wicked fire that charred
And licked the powder casks with ruby flame;
Then rudely hissed to find the bands so hard,
Then struggled-won! and the explosion came.
Oh, heart of oak! Oh, ship! Oh, seamen brave!
Oh, English flag! Oh, noble-hearted crew!-
A few charred bodies scattered on the wave ;-
A few burnt beams ;-and is this all of you?
Oh, horrid curse that scattered England's sons!
Oh, hellish drink that ruined that fair ship!
Reader, take lesson from those reckless ones,
Let not another dram bowl touch your lip!
A SOBER LAND-LUBBER.

The Shadow of St. Sepulchre's.

A LONDON STORY.

CHAPTER VIII.

ABOVE the noble elms which clustered in the park; above the bounding piles of brick, whose chimnies were but beginning to show, in their curling smoke-wreaths, the first signs of life again, rose the glorious sun, as gloriously at least as he can rise in London, flashing from the crisping wavelets of the ornamental water, where the choice ducks and swans, and other waterfowl, were beginning to disport themselves, and to look out for the liberal little boys and girls who daily share their biscuits and their buns with the feathered favorites. The roar of wheels in the neighboring thoroughfares of Pimlico and Whitehall was not yet well begun. A few soldiers, turning out for some morning manoeuvre, tramped behind the clumps of green that stud the park. There at one end of the park rose the York column above its long flight of steps, catching the very first rays of the sun every morning, and sending them down step by step to flood the grass beneath. At the opposite end the long massive pile of Buckingham Palace, not as yet saddened by that hatchment above the main entrance, which has since made the eyelids of every passer-by droop in sympathy, and has called up the prayer warm from the depths of many thousand hearts-" God bless her in her sorrow!" It was among such scenes that our young hero awoke that Monday

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