SYSTEMATIC DRUNKENNESS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3778, 24 August 1883, Page 4

SYSTEMATIC DRUNKENNESS.

Getting drunk appears to be a recognised institution among the Moujiks Russia. According to a writer in Truth, they hardly ever quarrel, but become affectionate and embrace each other. Their idea of drinkto imbibe until they are quite insensible. When tho writer was in Russia he had a coachman, who once a month used to come and ask for leave to get drunk during two consecutive days. Upon inquiry it was found that only on these conditions would a, coachman remain sober during tho rest of tho month. Having obtained leave, he would go to a drinkinghousc, show the proprietor his money, and

state how long be might remain there. Then ho would sit down at a table with some spirits before him. Gradually and solemnly ho would g'ct drunk, place his arms before him on the table and recline on them. Thus ho would remain for two days and nights, tho proprietor supplying him with more drink whenever he looked up. His time up, the proprietor would drag him outside the house, and set him down in the snow against the wall, having first filled his cap with snow. Every charitable-dis-posed brother coachman passing by would box his ears. In about half-an-hour this discipline would sober him ; ho would get up, shake himself together, and resume his duties. One man's poison is another man's meat, aud so we must be charitable enough in supposing that he enjoyed himself.