The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-15

which fever attain and which is reached, if
at ALL by slower degrees of progress. The
native-born American, who has never trav-
eled in this country, or who, having visited
it, has seen only its surface life, will not
readily appreciate the force of these state
ments.
EXTENT OF THE DRINKING HABIT.
Things are SO different here from what they
are there that one could almost regard the
English people as belonging to a different
race from ourselves, and as living in another
age of the world. To get just idea of the
extent of King AlcohoPs sway in this realm
your readers should see and study George
Cruikshank's painting in the national gal
lery on THE Drinking Customs of Society"
The picture there drawn traces human be-
ing from the cradle to the grave and reveals
him in all the various social and business re-
lations OF life if not with glass in his hand
at least with the opportunities for intoxi-
eating refreshment within easy reach. Cruik-
shank's masterpiece is we'll worthy of study
simply as a work of art, but living and
even tragical interest attaches to it from the
fact that it is so sadly true to life. All classes
worship at this shrine. The family domestic
in negotiating for a place, inquiries as care
fully after the daily quantity of beer allowed
as about the wages, while in higher life the
practice OF drinking is so generally INDUCED,
excess, that it was not long since the COM
mon way OF speaking of one much the worse
for liquor was to remark that he was ''as
drunk as a lord" When a visit is made
to neighbor or friend the first courtesy ex-
tended is to set out the decanters, or to bring
pitcher of ale or stout from the cellar and
woe betide the reputation for hospitality of
those who neglect this form of welcome. In
business the toddy or glass of bitters pre-
pares the way for almost every bargain, and
another drink seals the transaction. The
average Englishman must have his first sip
about 10 o'clock in the morning, when he
takes his lunch. Then the dinner and sup
per must be washed down, and water is out
of the question. English people have posi-
tive antipathy to the pure beverage which
nature distils. Many of them it seems to
me, rather than drink water straight would
pollute their stomaches with soap-suds.
Hence, those who abstain from liquor spend
nearly as much money for the vile substi-
tutes that are placed on the market as
moderate indulgence in stimulants would
cost them. The women of England drink as
generally as the men, and with as little con-
ception that there is any harm in so doing.
10 see ladies OF refinement regale themselves
from brandy TASKS while travelling on the
trains is a sight that surprises only strangers,
and thousands of the most respectable of
this sex do not scruple to stand with their hus-
bands at the public-house bar and
even to take their children 10 these
places. Even the clergy have been accus-
toned to indulge, and only within recent
years has there been any considerable pro-
test against such conduct on their part.
Stories Oh church parsons being helped into
the pulpit and then showing themselves too
befuddled to conduct the service were very
common in my boyhood days, and major
ity of them were not apochryphal. And
dissenting ministers were sinners along the
same line, though in lesser degree, The Gus
TOM which used to be general of offering
the minister a glass of port at the close of
the morning or evening service, is not yet
entirely absolete. 1 have a vivid recollec-
ton of great reyivalist, who, little over
twenty years ago, shook, as with a moral
earthquake, the whole country round about
where l was then living. I often think of
the man, and invariably he appears before
my mind in two attitudes. 1 see him. first,
swaying the multitudes who hung GREATNESS
on his words in the chapels of that region,
and then L behold him quaffing the social
glass with company of pious chums in my
fathers sitting-room. Fancy the boy
preacher or any of the other great American
revivalists playing a dual role of this kind
These observations will explain to some
extent the comparative backwardness of the
temperance movement in England, and will
serve as an Introduction to other letters l
propose writing on the same subject. H. 7.