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Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 10, 23 May 1872, Page 3

Thk Seven Stages of Dkunkenness. —at the hearing of a case of damages against a railway company, in the Court of Queen's Bench, Dublin, John McClosky, a railway guard, was examined by Mr. Carleton, Q.C. He deposed that on the morning on which Mr. Sloane, the plaintiff, sustained the acaccident he saw him at Enfield, and called to him to take a seat or he would be left behind ; the train was delayed a few minutes while he was trying to take his seat. The station-master alao called to him. The witness was asked if he had an opportunity of judging of the position of Mr. Sloane as to his being capable of taking care of himself. Witness : I suppose I must answer the question ? Mr. Carleton : Indeed you must. —The Chief Justice : There is nothing confidential here— everything is above board [Laughter].—Witness : Well he was not sufficiently sober to know if he was drunk. —Mr. Heron, Q.C. : In your opiuion, then, if he knew he was drunk he would be more sober? [Renewed laughter.] Witness : I can explain all the phases of it; I know every stage of it, if you don't deem it personal [Great laughter].—Mr. Heron : Not a bit ; go on. What is the first stage ?—Witness : To drink.— Mr. Heron : What is the second?— Witness : To feel that you have taken drink.—Mr. Heron : What is the third ?—Witness : To feel it. a little stronger [laughter].—Mr. Heron : What is the fourth ?—Witness : Shaky [laughter].—Mr. Heron : The fifth ? —Witness : Drunk [Renewed laughter]. Mr. Heron : The sixth ?—Witness : Yon are unconscious and don't know that you are drunk [laughter].—Mr. Heron —And in your opinion was the plaintiff uncouscious enough not to know it ? — Witness—l believe he was not sober enough to know it.—Mr. Heron—What is the seventh stage of all that ends this eventful history ?—Witness — Delirium tremens [great laughter].