MODERATION v. TOTAL ABSINENCE.

Free Lance, Volume VI, Issue 278, 28 October 1905, Page 16

MODERATION v. TOTAL ABSINENCE.

MUCH discussion has taken place on the question whether the total abstainer or the drinker will attain the greater age. To live long and live happily is the aim of most men, and) taking all things in moderation is most conducive to that end. Extremists in all matters are to be avoided. Whether it As the total abstainer or the drunkard length of dlays proportionately is not their portion ; the longest liver is the moderate man. According to the Lancet, the British Medical Association appointed a committee to make enquiries, in order to ascertain the average of the different categories of drinkers, that is to say, those who refrain completely from alcoholic drink, those who indulge more or less in moderation, and 1 those who drink to excess. This committee has just handed in its report. Its conclusions are drawn from 4234 deaths, which are divided into five categories of individuals, into which all commiunitdes may be divided, and the average ages of the individuals of their respective categories are published as follows : —

This report, published by so high an authority, and emanating from so di&tingTUsihed a source, amply demonstrates that temperate or moderate men are the longest and best livers, and that the drunkard' and total abstainers are alike intemperate.

Antonia Dolores will possibly be round this and again in October, 1906. From the "book" of a recent play a colonial actress said the wordls : — "If yer dotn't sender kvble yer need never look on me fyce agme." • • • An Australian variety artist writes from 'Frisco thus "Thus is> a magnifi<»nt oity — the hotels are open botlb night and day." If only there was beer in heaven ! • * •* Mr. J. C. Williamson has engaged Mr. Reginald Ford, M.R.G.S., for a lecture tour thiough New Zealamdl. The subject of the lecture is the expedition of the Morning, the Discovery, and the Terra Nova, to which Mr. Ford was attached. Drama is not flourishing just mow in Italy. A leading lmpressaxio, Signer Danieile Chiarelk. is credited with, the extraordmai y proposal to shut up all the theatres in Italy for one year and use this close time in thinking cut necessary reforms. • » • In the leceoit Melbourne revivaQ of "The Darling of the Gods" Mr. Harry Plimmer took J. Knight's old part, Prince Kaira, and the beauteous Julius undertook old man Yakkuri. Surely typhoid has not worked such damage to the popular little actor. • • • There won't be any Knaght-Jeffrdes company pretty isooh, because Julius reckons he is going right off the stage to get a grip o>i a new lease of life after his bout of typhoid. Miss Jeffries is, of course, married now, and she takes Mr. Ma.ud Jeffries to America to show him. to her friends before she comes back to become Australia's J. NottOsborne is a pleasant-faced, sunburned squatter-actor, who w 11 po> well as an American exhibit. Sydney "Newsletter," commenting on th© faet'Tvruvted in the Lance tlhiat Fuller paid £60 weekly for the MiloOruickshank "+mn" — "double what was previously paid" — points out that it was only their second engage m.ent, and Harry Rickardis, of co'tsp, didn't know its worth. That is true, and Lang had nothing but kiid wood's to say for Harry Ifeka'-d^, who had made it possible tn gain tf>e success both in Australia and N^w Zealand There is no question of ungratefulness.

Miss Nellie Stewart goes to Africa shortly, the 'company to be under the only theatrical enterpreneur in Africa, Wheeler. • * * Miss Florence Llo^d. coining to Wellington shortly with the "J.P." Company was out in Australia with the English Gaiety Company. • • • Young Donald McLean, a Christchurch boy, who has shown good promise as an actoir, is stainng in the Home provinces with "Cousin Kate.' • * * "Little Tich," the small comedian., who drew a large salary fiom Harry Rickards for a few weeks a whale back, began his stage life at the age of twelve, in the burnt-cork line. f- *■ ■*■ Gertrude Roosevelt, who (aocordtag to the New York 'Dramatic Mirror") says she is a cousin of the President^ has announced her intention, to make her debut ait Hammerston's in a bketch entitled "Kitty Chve." Mass Roo&evedt has had experience on the stage, having pilayed a part in. "Why Smith Left Home," both in Amen-ica and in London. She has also posed as a model for poster advertisements that have been used extensively. • * . • Albert Gran, of the Tittell Brune Company, feeling in a restless mood, set out to walk from Brisbane to Sydney. This is more remarkable as Albeit was in funds. Merely a sudden passion fox physical culture. Let us hope that the station storekeepers en route are liberal with the flour and sugar. • • • London papers contain, the news of the death, of the celebrated operatic tenor Signor T'amagno, who sang at Oovent Garden in 1901. Signor Tarmagno, who was one of the greatest operatic artists of his day, began life as assistant to his father, who kept a butcher's shop in Turin. The beautiful quality of his voice was first discovered by a poor Milanese miusicdani, who happened to be in his company one evening. Reminds me of the story about the Italian fish-vendor, who used to cry his wares in a loud but beautiful voice, and who was discovered by George Musgrove, or Harry Rickards, or George Barnes, or someone, and became famous.

Guest : "Ah ! Then you are a musician. What instrument do you play ?" Musician: "The first fiddle." His wife (emphatically) : "But only in the orchestral" • • • Madame Albami has deuied the report that she intends to retire. Madame is fifty-three yeans of age. She visited Australia in 1898, when the illstarred William Paull accompanied her. • • • Bland Holt is playing "For England" on the other side. It is a remarkable thing that, although it is all about the Boer war, it draw.s tremendously. Bland actually introduces the late "Oom Paul" into the play. • # * London music-hall artists admit that being funny for half-an-hour isai't worth anything from £50 to £250 a week, but they are going to start a company of their own if the managers don't increase the pay. "Little Tich" and other cracks reason that them salaries should be based on the quantity of money they make for the managers.

reais j Day; . — Habitually temperate drinkers : : : 63 13 !. — Careless drinkers : 59 67 I. — Free drinkers : : 57 59 .. — Decidedly intemperate drinkers : : : 51 30 '. — Total abstainers : : 51 22