The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-08-20
ATTENTION, SOCIETY WOMEN.
Lady Mcdonald and iser Noble
Husband.

Il was led myself to give up w%ine-drink-
ing after some reflection, suddenly at last,
on Christmas day. 1867. had thought a
good deal on the subject, but never made
any decided resolution until this day, when
at dinner with a large party. The CONVEX
sation turned on total abstinence. One of
the guests-himselt d strictly temperance
man, holding high office in our country
Chen and now)-said that practically total
abstinence was impossible for any one in
society. | said, l~aughingly: What a
dreadful statement. | quite differ with
you. He took me up warmly. and several
joined; all, without exception, agreeing
with him in saying that the requirements
of modern society were such that no one
could be so singular as to become teetotal
without being more or less ridiculous;
and that the fatigues, excitement, and
w~car-and-tear of political society life es-
pccially, made use of wine-in great mod
Grafton of course-abs0lutely a necessity.
| entered the lists, scarcely knowing why,
and declared | did not believe this theory.
At last the question was pressed more
closely My friend, who had begun it,
said that he did not believe even you your
self, Lady Mcdonald, could or would give
up your glass of sherry at dinner, | asked,
''Why not ." Aud he went over with
great force and c~learness all the ~speeious
and dangerous arguments that are urged in
support of drinking wine in moderation,
ending with the remark that in Sir Johns
public position my being a total abstai ner
would do him great harm politically. This
seemed too monstrous, SO | said Complying
my half-elass of sherry into the finger
glass as I did so): Well, | will try: hence
forth | will enter the ranks of the total alb
water Since then, thank God, | have
never found any necessity for wine. In
health, | can do my life's work without
any aid from dangerous stimulants; in sick
fused to touch it. My life is a very busy
one. | have sometimes, for weeks together,
days of constant occupation and nights
almost sitting up. Politics are exciting
and fatiguing; and every temptation to try
stimulants is to be found in the late nights
listening 10 anxious debates and the CON
slant necessity Of being mp to the mark
late and early. | have had a great deal
of nursing TO do with a delicate husband
and child-and this often during our bust
est society season and yet ! have not
sought strength from wine at any single
moment, and my health is far better than
that of so many friends who take a glass
of wine or a little beer Just to give them a
little strength Tins give you my ex-
pcrience, as far as it goes, to show that
stimulant is rot necessary in the station of
life where it is unfortunately most COM
mo My used. SO far as mental and bodily
fatigue goes, | have tested the possibility
of doing without stimulant to the fullest
extent-in long, anxious hours over sick
beds, in %sn,ltlen disaster. in long watchings
ndiourneys where food was uninyiting, and
in many ~fltiguing and very uncongenial
society claims. When | told my husband
my decision, and that our friend had said
that it would hurt his prospects politically,
Sir John answered, with a laugh: %, |
will risk the prospects; You can be a total
ahstaincr if you like My example can
and ought to help many similarly situated.
My husbands long public career and posi-
ton, only second To thai of Governor
General tile Marquis of Iorne, makes our