Page 3 Advertisements Column 2

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 209, 4 January 1865, Page 3

Drunkenness in France.— Drunkenness is by no means a French failing; still, an Englishman walking along the Boulevards cannot help being struck by the crowds who throng the cafes from morning till night. Though their chief object undoubtedly is to read the papers and take a cup of coffee, still an immense quantityof alcohol is, absorbed. From four to six you will remark gentlemen quietly sitting before tables, each sipping absinthe, the most dangerous practice that can be indulged in, although its object be only to excite the appetite. Dr. Emile Duearsins, struct by the fatal increase of this habit, has published a work, entitled “Les Buveurs d’Absinthe,” wherein ho gives an insight into the diseases thereby generated. lie truly states that now every class of society, from the man of the world to the artisan, from the field-marshal to the private, the minister to the clerk, all are equally addicted to this green liquid, and that the rage for it is rapidly extending in the provinces. Petitions have been already presented to the Senat demanding certain restricti in on its sale. Dumis, the great chemist (not Alexandre), has proved that in one commune of the Seine Inferreure, composed of 9000 inhabiantts, 2000 hectolitres of spirituous liquors were annually consumed as well as 1800 hectolitres of absinthe. For the result of this great increase in the consumption of spirits as well as of absinthe, he refers to the registers of Charonton, where, in 1860, out of 176 persons admitted as lunatics, 60 bad become insane from drink, and in 1861, of 3 74 admitted, 42 had suffered from the same cause. —Paris Letter.

Loud and Lady Palmeri/ton are both the last of their respective families —the Premier, we believe, having no one, in whatever degree removed, who could make a claim to the estates, much less to the title, on the ground of relationship. It is no wonder that Lord Palmerston is desirous of seeing his name transmitted, as the peerage in her own right to be conferred on Lady Palmerston will be that of Viscountess Palmsrston, and Melbourne, as stated. There are, it is said, some difficulties to overcome in the matter ; but one who has served his Sovereign and the people so well should Lave at once on the asking. —Court Journal. The Honey Bek.—A naturalist in New York has published an account of some interesting experiments, which appear to prove that the life and untiring labour of the honey-bee are comprised within three or fonr monshs. Life. —At best, life is not very long. A few more smiles, a few ntora tears, some pleasure, much pain, sunshine and songs, clouds and darkness, hasty greetings, abrupt farewells —then our little play will close, injurer and injured will pas* away. Is it worth while to bate each other ? Poisoning by Absohbxton. —A child of nine years of age has died in Suffbld from the absorption into the system of arsenic contained in an ointment applied externally to the head to remove disease of the scalp.