Drinking In America

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 206, 11 June 1887, Page 4

Drinking In America

In the quarterly roport of the Chief of the Bureau of Statistics, Washington, the consumption of distilled and malt liquors and •wines and estimates made by recognised authorities ace dwelt upon at some length. In round numbers the consumption of distilled spirits, domestic and imported, in the United States is shown to have increased from 43,000,000 gallons in 1840 to 82,000,000 in 188G ; of wines from 4,800,000 gallons to 22,000,000, and of malt liquors from 22,000,900 to 642,000,000- An elaborate statement made by F. IST. Barrett, editor of the New York " Grocer," by request of the Chief of the Bureau, is given, which sets forth, among many other things, that the present average expendituis in this country per annum for malt and spirituous liquors and beer at retail is 700,000,000d015. The drinking population is estimated to be, in 1886, 14,954,417, making the average expenditure per capita 451 90dols, Barrett shows by tables covering live years, from 1882 to 1886, inclusive, that the consumption of spirits is decreasing % that of beer is increasing, and that there is a reduced use of wine as a beverages " During this period," he says, " the consumption of coffee has risen from 8 2 pound, per capita to 9.11 pounds. Do not these facts show that milder stimulants, are driving out other competitors and is, it not dtie to the strong agitation of tho temperance question ?"

Mr Edwin Booth and Mr Lawrenco Barrett have formed a Shaksperjan dramatio partnership for tho autumn, and, will present "Hamlet," "Lew," "Macbeth," ♦'Othello, "Julius Cmw" and "The Merchant Venice.' 1