The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-08-24

meeting was held, June 90, at Exeter Hall, I
for the purpose of forming Temperance
Society, in London, upon similar principles
with those which have been established in
America, and more recently in Ireland and
Scotland. The meeting was very numer-
ously attended; the Lord Mayor was pre-
vented from attending, and the Chair Was
taken by Sir John Webb.
Many digntaries OF the established
church, as well as dissenting ministers were
present, and large portion Of the company
was composed Of members o(the Society of
Friends, and great number of respectable
Ladies.
The object of the society, which is form
ed under the patronage of the Lord Bishop
of London, was stated on this, its first pub
lie meeting, to be " to abolish the use Of dis
titled spirits as customary beverage, and
to dlscountenanCe the causes and practices
of intemperance.
The report of the Committee considered
the object of the society rested on two bases
the one that Of Christian charity, the 9TH
or that of self preservation; and the prln-
cipal requisite for the purpose was, sol
emn declaration of abstinence from splrltu-
Gus liquors. The report added that the
greatest benefits had been derived from the
establishment of temperance societies, the
advantages of which were first pointed out
by Belfast newspaper, which led to the
foundation, about two years ago, OF socle-
ty at New Ross, in Ireland, and which was
the first ever established with success in
Europe. The members of similar societies
in that country, in the short space OF time
just mentioned, had increased to 100000
persons, and Il large number of confirmed
drunkards had been restored to habits of
sobrety. The report concluded by recon-
mending the circulation of tracts, 1000
of which had already been dispersed with
great advantage.
VIM. Allan, a member of the Society OF
, Friends, addressed the meeting, expressed
his surprise that among all the public char
tiles of England none like the present had
| ever been established. He alluded to the
great advantages to society from the estab-
lishment of such associations in America
! He moved that the report be printed and
: the committee appointed.
n The Solicitor General for Ireland, in Sec
ending this motion, adverted to the estab
, lshment of a similar Society in Ireland, O
e which he had the honor to be II member
: 1t had been much ridiculed, but had passc:
> the fiery ordeal safely. An alchemist il
: the 18th century discovered spirituou.
. liquid which he styled elirir vitG, lgui,
$ which was to give to man perpetual happi
q ness it was afterwards called aqua uitp
v or the water of life F.; and even at the pres
n ent day was called in France eau de rie-
# (laughter.) There were no people wht
d could give nicknames better than the Irish
e and they called similar spirit "madnes
e of the head"-( laughter.) And in Londol
y there was just as good 4 name, although
- not quite so poetical it was here termet
:. "blue ruin"-(lo loud laughIer.) This discov
It cry he compared to the opening of Pando
r ra's box; it spread evil Throughout the land
. 1t did not become in general use at first
+ but was used in drops when it did become
t general the consequences produced by i
were more dreadful than any produced by
the sword or pestilence. In England it
: progress had been gradual in Ireland i
= had been more rapid; and in Scotland b.
:. was very sorry to say there was sad pre-
q emlnencs-(hear, hear.) In 1929 the guam
V tity of distilled spirits on which the dut
n was paid in the three Kingdoms amountc
/, to 23,000,000 of gallons. Ofrutn importe
n for home consumption, allowing for that re
4, exported, the quantity was 100000 of cal
~ Ions. Of brandy and other spirits imported
H. 100000 gallons; making, in the whole
- a consumption of 100000 of gallons q
"a ardent spirits consumed in the year. Fiv
" millions of revenue had grown out of this
II but 1t had cost the people Els, 100000 ster
IL ling, without mentioning the greater iniur
II and cost to their health and property. fror
rs the consequences arising from its consump
er ton. The Honorable and Learned Gentle
IN man proceeded to show how wei! this els
OOO,OOO could be expended for the publ
good, and without lessening the revenue
ID 1t would have paid half years interest c
D. the nationa! debt. He also produced med
IL zeal certificates from the heads of the fac
- ulty of Dublin, Edinburgh, and other places
:, expressing their opinion, ''that the entir
IS abstinence from ardent spirits would be AT
u tended with the greatest advantages to tn
u working classes" He quoted the authorize
70 OF Mr.Colquhoun, on police, and others, attri
lie outing the increase of crime to drunkenness
u lie also attributed the greater portion c
m the riots, tumults, and even the periodical
N vlsltallons OF famine in Ireland for the re
= llei OF which the country had so frequentl,
y, SO oountltully, and so benevolently subscrii
ed appause)-to the same extensive evi
The honorable and learned gentleman con
Guided by quoting from Cowper the follow
i"S liHCoi WHICH he described as beautiful
u satlrlcal of the vice of Government in in
/ !. creaslng its revenue, by the most runou
:, system to its population
n Drink then, and be mad; it is your country bids
j.. ler cause demands assistance of your throats.
. You all can swallow and she asks no more %
+. E-(loud laughter.)
5 The resolution was unanimously adont
y ed. ~
S The Rev. +. Smith moved-"Tbat it i
the opinion of this meeting, that to the un
hapPy propensity to drinking ardent spirits
IS to be attributed much of the panperism
q disease and crime, that prevail in this coun
/ try"
, Professor Edgar of Belfast, in long adj.
dress, seconded the resolution, which was
: unanimously adopted.
, Mr.. Carr of New Ross, in Ireland. relat.
: ed, at considerable length, the benoits arts.
ing from the society he had formed in TINT
place and, within two years, many con-
ilrmed drunkards had become sober and