New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-02
HOWLA MACDONALD JOINED THE TEE
TOTALERS

The English Messenger Of Peace gives the following
extract from a letter written by Lady Macdonald,
the wife OF the Canadian Premier 70 Iilehd ia ga
vannah Ca - was myself led TO give up wine
drinking after some reflection suddenly, at last on
Chistmas Day 1866. had thought good deal on
the subject but never made any decided resolution
until this day when. ut dinner with a large party,
the conversation turned on total abstinence. one
Of our guests himself strictly temperate man holi-
ing high Office In our county lthen alu noM sa a
that practically total abstinence was Impossible t9r
any one society. | said laughlngly W nat dreao-
iu statement | quite dIier from you he TOOK
me mp warmly and several joined III, All without
exception agreeing with him in saying that the re-
quirements of modern society were such that no
one could he so singular as to become teetotaleI
without being more or less ridiculous anu that Ih9
fatgues, excitement and wear and tear OF pohucal
society life especially made tine use OF VINE III great
moderation of course absOiu tely necessity. len,
tered the lists scarcely know why, ana declared
did not believe this theory. A.,
AT last he question was pressed more closely NY
friend. who had begun It, said that he did not be-
heve You, yourself, Lady Macdonald, could or
would give up your glass of sherry at dinner. L
asked, Why not and he went over with great force
and cearncss ali the spacious and dangerous argu-
mcutS that urged IN support OF dr Ilklng wine I'D
moderation, ending with the remark thal III Sir
Johns public position my beng a total aDSIalhci
would 90 hIm great harm politically. his seemed
too monstr0u,. 50 said emp ying my half glass OF
sherry INTO the finger glass as sud SOL Wen, j
will try hcnceiOrwarI | enter the ranks OF total
absainrrS and drink To our success M water.
"Snce then, thank God, | nave never found any
necessity tor wine I'm health | can do my HES
work Wit out any AID from dangerous stlmul9uts;
in sickness have invariably and positively refused
to touch II. | nave sometimes, Tor weeks together
days OF constant occupation, nights OF almost an
sitting mp. Politics are exciting and iatlgung, ana
every tempta to try stlmuian l. to BE- found ~
the tate nights OF listening to ANXIOUS debates, ana
the constant necessity OF beng up To the mark late
and early. | have had a great deal of nursing 20 90
with delicate husband ana child, and TINS often
during our busiest society season; and yet have
never sought strength from vine at any single
moment. and my health Is Tar better than that oI 50
many of my friends who take glass oI VINE, OF Il
uttlr beer, jus, to give them Int le strength.
Thus give yOu my cNuercnce as Tar as 1t goes
to show that stmulant l. not necessary III the
station of life WhrGc II Is unfortunately most COM
monty used. So lar mental and bodily fatigue
20. / have tested the possibility OF DONG without
slmuauts 10 the fullest extent, IN long anxious
hours over SICK beds, in sudden disaster, IN long
Natchiugs and journeys where foot WAS unlnNIting
aud m many iatIguug and very uncOugtnldl society
claims " nen told my husband my decision. and
that our friend sad that would hurt his pros ects
poutIcallv sir John answered with a laugh, @,
Nill risk the prospects; you can be a total alb
staIurr # You like. My example can and ought TO
help many similarly situated"