Polynesian., 1852-09-04

resulting from their habitual use by the work.
| ing classes of this country, that their entire
abandonment as an article of Diet IS earnestly
to be desired. According TO my experiences
in the infrmary of this city, the effects of the
abuse of ardent spirits in impairlng health
and adding to the general mortality, are
much increased in Edinburgh since the late
changes in the excise laws, and the su5se-
qistnt cheapness of ichiskey" Ifit be denied
lowed this reduction Of duties We interpose
the following statement in the Edinburgh
Review for 1898:
In 1873 the whole consumption (in Scot
land amounted TO 2, 800, 900 gallons; in 1897
to q, 776. 7l5 gallons. In Glasgow alone there
are 1900 spirit shops, that Is, one spirit shop
for every ten dwelling houses throughout the
city. The consumption of spirituous liquors
has increased in Glasgow during the last Is
years 500 per cent, whereas the population
has increased only Sc per cent. But mark
Iye, Y the meantime, crime has increased 400
per cent, fever 1000 per cent, death 300
per cent, and the chances Of human life di-
minished A per cent"
So says the Edinburgh Review.
Sir Ashley Cooper, principal surgeon 10
the King of England, wrote some twenty
years ago, No person has greater hostiI-
ty to dram-drinkins than.my self, inasmuch
that | never suffer any ardent spirits in my
house, thinking them eril spirits: and if the
poor could witness the white livers, the drop-
sizes, the shattered nervous systems, that !
have seen, as the consequences of drinking,
they would be aware that spirits and poisons
are synonymous terms"
DIR. Harty, physician to the prison of Dub
lin. says: Being thoroughly convinced from
long and extensive observation among the
poor and middling classes, that there does
not exist a more productive cause Of disease,
and consequent poverty and wretchedness,
than the habitual use of ardent spirits; can
not therefore hesitate TO recommend the entire
disuse of such poison rather than incur the
risks necessarily connected with its most
moderate use"
This is not only good Irish authority, but
excellent advice. Since il was given, his
countryman, Father Matthew, of ever bles-
sed memory, and prince Of teetotallers,"
has been carrying it into effect with most
wonderful success. 1t is said that not lesss
than FIVE millions of Irishmen have been
pledged to total abstinence, the greater part
Of whom have kept the pledge; and if crime
has not diminished in proportion or even has
increased, cannot admit the conclusion that
plenty Of whiskey is necessary to keep an
Irlshman honest, but can readily find other
causes for criminal convictions. Men perish
ing with hunger from the loss of the potato
crop, unable to obtain a morsel of bread for
their starving children. while the breweries
and distilleries were in full operation; eject
ed from their novels because unable to pay
their absentee landlords, who were living
luxuriously in London or France, or Italy
turned out homeless and furnishing, with
fever and pestiIence in the track of Famine;
that such people should plunder the corn
rick or lay their hands on food or the means
of obtaining it, wherever to be found, should
excite no special wonder; and yet under all
these trying circumstances when we should
expect them to mui der the hirelings sent to
demolish their cabins, it appears that crimes
of fragrant character, such as result from
the violence of uncontrolled passion, have
diminished in Ireland in most remarka-
BILE degree since the temperance reform.
al the great national banquet which took
place in Dublin, Lord Morpeth, after giving
the particulars of the returns of outrages in
the constabulary office, by which it appeared
that since 1886 thev had diminished one third.
proceeded to remark that the heaviest Often
ses such as homicides, outrages upon the
person, assaults with attempt to murder, ag-
gravating assaults. cutting and manning,
there we're IN