AN IRISH DEFINITION OF DRUNKENNESS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1796, 22 March 1888, Page 3

AN IRISH DEFINITION OF DRUNKENNESS.

At the hearing of a case for damage* against a railway company m tho Couro of Queen's Bonch, Dublin, recoiitly, John M'Ciuskey, a railway guard, was examined by MrCarleton, Q.C. Hi deposed that on the morning m whloh Mr Sloane, tho i plaintiff, sustained the accident, he mw him at Enfiold, and called to him to take hla aeat, or he would bo loft behind ; tho train was delayed a few minutes while he was trying to take his Beat ; the stationmaster also called to him. Mr Oarleton, Q.B. — Had you an opportunity of judging of the condition of Mr Sloaue aa to his being capable of taking care of himeelf 1 Witness — I supple I must, answer the question. Mr Oarleton, Q.C. — ladeod you must. Chief Justice — There is nothing confidential here — everything is above board. (Laughter.) Witness— Well, he waa not aufliclently sober to know that ho was drunk. (Laughter ) Mr Heron : In your opinion theu, if ho kuew he was druok ho would be more sober. (Renewed laughter.) Witness— I can explain all the phases of It — I know every Btage of it, If you don't deem it personal. laughter.) Mr Heron, Q C.— Not a bit ; go on. What is the | tirafc stage ? To drink. What is tl c second 1 To feel that you have taken drink. What is the third ? To feel it a little stronger. (Laaghteri) What's the fourth? Shaky. (Laughter.) The fifth? Drank. (Renewed langhter.) Tho sixth ? You are nnoonßcloua and don't know that

ou are druuk. (Lacghtar ) And m your opinion was the plaintiff unoonaolona enough not to know he was drank 1 I believe he was not sober enough to know it. What's the seventh stage o nil that ends this eventful history ? Delirium tremens, (Great laughter.)