The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-10-08
"Pick- Me-Ups" in the Morning, Brandy and
Soda During the Day, Wine at Dinner and
Something Hot" at Bed.Tima
Sensational Exposuresby Lady Cayen.
dish and the Duchess of Bedford.
Pugilst Mitchell Sent to Prison for Beating
an Old Man-American Consul Fired at BY
Yenezuelsns-Cresp Successful
STARTLING CHARGES.

Engiishwomen Accused Of Drunkenness by
Lady Cavendish and the Duchess of Bedford.
tCopyright. 1892 by the New York Associated PressI
LONDON. Oct IA sharp aud probably
salutary shock has been gwen to high
social circles by the startling exposures 10
regard to the prevalence of drunkenness
among aristocIatic ladies. made by Lady
Frederick Cavendish and the Duchess OF
Bedford at the Church congress-. Hitherto
allegations of widespread drinking prac-
tices among women of rank and fashion
have been deemed prejudIced gos-
suggested equals the outspoken rev.
Citations made by these high
ly placed leaders of society. Lady Frederick
Cavendish said that she had been recently
staying at country mansion where reomy
dinlng-room chairs were still used.
The seats were deeply curved to
save the gentlemen from falling
out after dinner; that although
heavy drinking had been abandoned by
the men. the women were becoming invet-
crate tipplers; that many ladies have re-
conrse to "pick-me-ups" at IL A. Ne, brandy
and soda during the day, wine at dinner
and something hot at bedtime She said shs
knew o young lady who could not get
through the exertions of the London season
without taking cordial" pretty name
for adram. kept handy at tea. and that after
Q certain morning concert lady beside her
had called for a white cup" deceptive
name for q champagne-cup. Lady Caven-
dish protested especially against the new
fashion Of the young ladies. and old ones,
too. accompanying gentlemen to the smok.
ing-room after dinner and sharing not only
the cigars, but also the spirits. She said
that distinguished physician had assured
her that many ladies who were living idle
lives had consulted him for nervous eymp-
toms which revealed, In perfect unoon-
sciOusness on their part, condition OF oil.
cohOlism bordering on delirium tremene,
but that alcohol was not tho only fashion.
able falling, as chloral. chioradine ana
morphine were taken in secrecy in bou.
doirs and were adding to the maladies Of
modern life.
The Duchess of Bedford. taking up the
theme, put the blanc for these evils on
supposed exigent demands of society, until
the nerves required tonic. The argument
of the necessity OF stimulation, she said,
afforded but the very slightest protection
against temptation. The real remedy was
avoidance of mischievous forms of excite.
ment. together with total abstinence. The
Duchess maintained that moderation"
q very elastic term, and would not
meet the evils like abstinence. 1t was o
serious thing, she said, for Christian work.
ers, pledged to fight the drinking practices
of society. to reject the practice of sbsti-
nence. and she besought every body inter-
ested to avoid the banter and jesting. too
common in reference to the greatest
evil of modern life.
The wife of Archbishop Benson. Sir Will
lam Herschell, the Dean of Rochester aud
others continued in similar strain. Tho
whole topic 10 deeply stirring the social
elite.