The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-06

than passing reference to the downfall
of Parnell, when at the height of his
fame. and when he practically domi-
mated the political situation i'm Great
Britain. bis appearance IN the divorce
court in the character Of a correspond
ent was sufficient TO bring about his
overthrow at The moment when he
seemed to have reached the goal Of his
ambition, and as leader OF the National
!sts was treating with William r. Clad
stone. then premier, as from power to
gower.
Not a voice was raised in his behalf.
even by those of his own followers who
had been most devoted TO him. and the
Iact that his connection with the mat
rimoniai differences of Captain and Mrs.
o Shea should have been regarded as
rendering impossible his continuance at
the head of the Irish party, and as its
plen.Dotentiary in the negotiations with
the government. speaks volumes for the
altered tone of English society and for
the different standard of morality to
that which prevailed at the commence
ment Of the reign Of Queen Victoria. to
whose social influence this change for
the better was entirely due.
Edwards Innovations
As far as King Edward is concerned.
the influence which he commenced 70
exercise upon English life from the mo
ment when shortly after his marriage
just forty years ago. he was intrusJed
by his widowed mother with the task
OF representing the Crown in its re-
lations with society and public life, has
likewise proved Of a beneficial charac-
ter In spite of all that "Angio-Amer-
lean may write To the contrary in the
North American Review"
The cause Of temperance in particu-
lar owes to the King "a deep debt of
gratitude. Up 10 the time when he
may be said TO have commenced his So
ciaI reign, heavy drinking at dinner
after the ladies had left the table was
the inyariable rule in England, and the
phrase "as drunk as a lord" was CON
sidered a term not Of reprOach, bur OF
praise. Inebriety was not looked upon
as a vice, not even as bad form, and
but small respect or consideration was
accorded by society TO the man who
could not dispose OF the traditional
three bottles at a sitting.
Followed by Masses.
OF course the example thus set by the
classes was followed and adopted In q
stin more intensified degree by the
masses. the only difference consisting
in tile character and quality of the
liquor. Indeed. dJ ring the early pOr-
ton OF the reign o., Queen Victoria, the
drunkenness in Great Britain was some
thing perfectly APPALLING. The marked
decline of that vice. which was former
~ regarded as a. peculiarly English
failing. is due to King Edward. 1t is
wholly owing to his social influence that
hard drinking IS no longer fashionable,
and as in everything else, so also in
this, the masses have followed in the
steps of the classes.
/ Drunkenness is now regarded as bad
| form in the banqueting halls of the
peer. as well as in the back parlOr of
the small sbopkeeper, in the smoking
room Of the crack London clubs, as
well as in the cafe or barroom of the
! suburban pub or gin mill. Swearing
and coarse language. too, have gone ous
of fashion. Neither lord nor com
moner deems IL necessary any longer
/ to preface every remark with an oath,
/ or to interlard each sentence with
/ bIood-curdling blasphemy- This change
/ for the better is, like the decrease IN
hard drinking, attributable 70 the So
ciaI influence of King Edward
Respect for Church.
] One of the best features Of the English
people Is the respect which nowadays
they one and all manifest toward the
I ordinances Of the church. 1t may be
that there IS more convenuonality than
religion in the attitude of many OF them.
/ But be the motives and causes what they
may the result achieved is an excellent
one. For regular attendance at church
/ is certain to exercise an influence more
/ beneficial than injurious. and the moral
tone Of the nation, which has been
brought by its social autOcrat to look
upon it as a sine qua non of respecta-
4