The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-11-04

The English Messenger Of Peace gives tn
following extract from letter written b,
Lady Macdonald, the wife OF the CANADIAN
Premier, to friend In Savannah, Ga:
81 was myself led TO give up wine-drink
ing after some reflection, suddenly at last, OF
Christmas Day, 1865. had thought goot
deal OH the subject, but never made any de
cided resolution until this day, when, at din
ner with a large party, the conversation
turned on total abstinence. One of oul
guests, himself a strictly temperate man
holding high Office in our county (then and
now, said that practically total abstinence
was impossible for any one In society. said
laughingly, What dreadful statement!
quite differ with YOU He took me up arm.
ly, and several joined In, oil without excep.
ton agreeing with him in saying that the
requirements of modern society were such
that no one could be so singular as to become
ateetotaller without being more or less ridic-
ulous, and that the fatigues, excitement, and
wear and tear of political society life espe-
cially made the use Of wine, In great moder.
alton of course, absolutely necessity. l en-
tered the lists, scarcely know why, and de-
clsred did not believe this theory. 81
cat last the question was pressed more
closely. My friend, who had begun it, said
that he did not believe Yeu, yourself, Lady
Macdonald, could or would give up your
glass Of sherry at dinner asked, why
not p and he went over with great force and
clearness all the specious and dangerous ar
guments that are urged In support of drink
ing wine in moderation, ending with the re-
mark that In Sir Johns public position my
being total abstainer would do him great
harm politically. This seemed too mon-
strous, so said Complying my half glass of
sherry into the finger-glass as I said SOY,
Well, I will try; henceforward I enter the
ranks of total abstainers, and drink to our
success in water
"Since then, thank God, / have never
found any necessity for wine. In health
can do my life's VIC rk without any aid from
dangerous stimulants; in sickness have in
variably and positively refused to touch 1t.
have sometimes, for weeks together, days
Of constant occupation, nights of almost all
sitting up. Politics are exciting and IA
tiguing, and every temptation to try stimu-
lants Is to be found in the late nights of lis
tening to anxious debates, and the constant
necessity of being up to the mark late and
early. have had great deal Of nursing to
do with delicate husband and child, and
this often during our busiest society season
and yet have never sought strength from
wine at any single moment, and nay health
is far better than that Of so many of my
friends who take glass OF wine or little
beer just to give them little strength.
"Thus give you my experience, as far as
1t goes, to show that stimulant is not neces-
sary in the station Of life where 1t is unfor-
most commonly used. So far as
mental and bodily fatigue 60, have tested
the possibility Of doing without stimulants
to the fullest extent, In long anxious hours
over sick beds, In sudden disaster, in long
watchings and journeys where food was un-
inviting, and In many fatiguing and very UNI
society claims. When told my
husband my decision, and that our friend
said 1t would hurt his prospects politically,
Sir John answered with laugh, 'Oh, will
risk the prospects you can be total alb
'tainer II you like Ny example can and
ought to help many similarly situated"