Temperance Column.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 125, 23 November 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

Temperance Column.

[The matter for this Column is supplied by a representative of the local Temperance bodies, who alone is responsible for the opinions expressed in it.] THE BISHOP AND THE COSTERS' WATER PARTY : WHO WAS THE PRELATE? The following story is communicated to the Westminster Gazette upon the authority of a London waterman : — A party of costers, with their wives and sweethearts, hailing from Shoreditcb, spent their Easter holiday at Eew and Richmond. In the afternoon, about a dozen of the party arranged for a trip on the river in a boat. Refreshments were placed on board in' the shape of & large "jar of Irish whisky. Several of the men and one lady member of the party gave evidence, as they stepped aboard, that they had already consumed something stimulating and alcoholic. As the boat was about to put off from the shore a gentleman in episcopal attire, accompanied by a local resident, presented himself on the towing path The rev. prelate at once became an object of special attention on the port of the merry occupants of the boat, and hisbroad-brimmedhat, apron, and gaiters were alike openly criticised and mode the subject of jest. - The health of the Bishop was drunk with "musical honours," and one fair damsel declared that she would like to embrace ' the " bloomin' old general " and invited him to take a seat in the boat. The invitation met with the ready acquiescence of the whole party, and, strange to relate, was cordially accepted by the venerable Bishop (who had received the remarks anent his attire with the utmost good humour) and his companion, much to the confusion of the company. The Bishop gave the order to "push off," and, all aboard being comfortably seated, he proffered some good advice to the rowers, and then, in a quiet and happy manner, commenced an address on Temperance, following this up with a promise that if the party would throw the whisky jar overboard, he would provide them with a good substantial tea higher up the river. The proposal was formally put and cirried unanimously, and the boat immediately beoime lighter to the extent of the jar and its contents, the Bishop himself being deputed to " throw them to the fishi s." After a pleasant pull the pnrty went ashore, and the rev. prelate curried out Ihb promise to tho fullest extent, and joined I.U router friend* in tho " cup that chctiH." Hul «equently, as he bade them "Good day," he extracted from each and every one a further promise that they would return home Hobcr, and fin assurance that ihey would write to him on the morrow at the address of his friend informing him thnt thfy had kept their word.