TEMPERANCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 751, 23 July 1886, Page 6

TEMPERANCE.

AN AWKWARD MISTAKE-THOSE REPORTERS AGAIN! ‘ After I had been a short time a total abstainer,’ said the Hon. and Rev. Lord Wriothesley Russell, * the friends at Windsor were anxious that I should address a meeting and give my personal experience. The meeting was duly held, and a reporter from the local paper was present, as I hoped, to render to his readers a faithful account of what I said. In the course of my observations, I remarked that for thirty years I had been trying to persuade drunkards to drink in moderation, but never having succeeded in one case, I thought it high time to join the temperance society. Imagine my horror the next week, if you can, when I found myself reported as follows : —‘ The noble lord said that for thirty years he had been trying to drink in moderation, but never having succeeded in one case, he thought it high time to join the temperance society !’!’ PROHIBITION IN THE SOUTHERN STATES. In a speech delivered recently in Cluckermy Hall, U.S., Col. Bam, of Kentucky, said ‘ Do you hear the voice from the Southland ? There are thirty-six whole counties in Kentucky which are without license. In Georgia—and all of you know the story of the march upon Atlanta—in Georgia there are one hundred and twentythree counties in which liquor is prohibited. There is not a licensed saloon within one hundred and sixty miles of Montgomery, Alabama. And this reminds me of a story. A thirsty traveller in Tennessee came to a town one night and asked the hotel-keeper if he could get a drink of liquor. “ No, sir,,, wasthe reply ;“ we have a four-mile law here.’ “ Four-mile law P replied the traveller, in great disgust. “It must be a sixty-four mile law ; for I’ve been riding all day and haven’t found a drop !” One word in conclusion : You Northern people came South and took off our shackles of slavery. _ If you don’t mind, we Southern people will come up and strike off your drink-shackles before you are able to loosen them yourselves.

YET ANOTHER TEETOTAL M.P. A writer in the Democrat says, Baron F. J. Rothschild, M.P., is another of the new members who has joined the teetotal ranks. Baron F. J. Rothschild presided the other day at the opening of a Temperance hall at Cuddington, which has been presented to the villagers to a Mr Green. The Baron M. 3?. was supported on the platform by the Blower of Glass M.P , when millionaire and mechanic were in perfect agreement. Both expressed themselves heartily in favor of Local Option, and the Baron remarked that personally he was able to testify,to the comfort and value of abstinence. Since becoming a total abstainer from alcoholic drink he had found his health wonderfully good, and there is no discomfort attached to the practice. As to drink being essential to conviviality, no mistake could be greater than to suppose so. He, therefore, hoped that all who had not signed the pledge of teetotalalism would do so. My good friend ‘ Joe ’ Leicester, M.P., testified of 55 years’ experience of total abstinence. I hope the Baron may enjoy it as long, but present friend Joe has the best' of it, and he’s a lively oracle on the platform, I can tell you.

WE are at a loss to know why people should allow themselves to be imposed upon by imitations of Wolfes Schnapps.