A DEFENCE OF DRINK.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2076, 24 August 1885, Page 2

A DEFENCE OF DRINK.

Lord Bramwell (writes.;tho London Daily Telegraph), has ."fluttered the Volsoiaris" of the Alliance by the vigor of his eulogy on "Drink," Hitherto tho defenders of the existing liberty of potations have taken a tone, of excuse; but the shrewd and learned baron speaks o'ufc what ltiany think. " fyinkf "Yes,: I jay it is:, a.gcmd tying, 1 think the world would- act YoryfooliaUy"" if it gavo it up.; Why, if it can do all the harm ! haye mentioned ? For this reason —that jt does an immense : 'tfeaT more S(ood, laay does' a deal more good, beoause it gives a vast deal of pleasure and onjoymont to those who take it wftfleood sense and moderation. Is it ndEirue that it is a source of great plSnro and onjoymont ? See 'the thor%i relisli with which a tired man takes his glasßofbeer, tho keen pleasure of the first glass of sherry at dinner to the man exhausted with the labor of his brain. But, besides these keen enjoyments, take the more quiet and sober pleasure of the glass of beer at dinner §i\d at supper, or with the pipe, • Tip is a pleasure had ill this country rpillions daily—nay, twice daily-and if. instead of ,the glaaa ot bear' or wtye, a small quantity of apirit.is t|ie.pleasure is the same, and the praoticsis reasonable," The learned judge quotes, Sir James Paget to show that the brajnwork of the nation# who consume alcohol is superior to that of the Mohammedans, who abstain from it. He. also points out without irreverence that those English opponents of alcohol who aro Christians " should in the Eucharist andtho miracle of Carta have found Bome excuse for those that think that drinking wine is in itself wicked." Lord Bramwell admits that a great deal of harm is caused by drink, and that society may have a right to wavess public-houses, " But," hoasks';™Jfei 9 within its right, is it fair, is it just,ss' it reasonable, expedient, because some take it to excess, that it is to be deniea to millions to whom it is a daily please and enjoyment.with no attendant liariq I Does thi.B qoem to bp fair 1 % glass 0/ beer is tq b.e taken tl>e wfyile o'f 5,fl men because one of them will take move than in good for Mm,"