The Antl-Treattng League

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 8, 19 February 1903, Page 18

The Antl-Treattng League

The Anti-Treating League — with which we dealt editorially a short time ago—is progressing at the rate of an express train. It was originated in a * quiet and unostentatious way in the diocese of Ferns (Ireland) a diocese long noted for its temperance work—two years ago, and we now learn that it has ' gradually won its way throughout every diocese in Ireland.' Perhaps it may soon make its welcome appearance in our own tight little islands. It appears that the treating custom was an importation into Ireland. ' A well-known (Irish antiquary,' says the Glasgow ' Observer, ' gives it as his opinion that such a practice as " treating " was absolutely unknown in Ireland till the close of the 16th century. It was introduced by the Elizabethan Undertakers, or planters, between the years 1590 and 1601, but did not become general tilfthe first decade of the 17th century—when King James issued patents for the licensing and selling of wine and aqua vitae. The earliest allusion to the practice of treating is jtn a letter written by Father Christopher Holywood, Superior *of the Jesuits in Ireland, in 1609, when he announces to Father Fennel, in Rome, the abolition in certain parishes of " treating bouts." '