MISCELLANEOUS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 985, 9 July 1872, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

It would be interesting to try a few experiments in the way of punishment with drunkards. It is evident that fines have little or no effect on the intemperate, and that a few hours'

imprisonment until they are sober, is rather a convenience to them than not. Ingenuity in discovering pleasant little variations in punishments for offenders has not yet extended beyond the revival of the cat-o'-nine-tails, which, although it might be laid with advantage on the backs of some drunken ruffians, is almost too decisive in its action for the harmless sot who becomes "incapable" without being violent. There is, however, a punishment which has applied by the ancient law of France, and also in Scotland, to debtors who have obtained the benefit of cessto lonorum, that:seems admirably adapted for modern drunkards. It consists in sentencing the debtor to Wear in public a distinctive garment, under pain of imprisonment if he was found without it. In France, a green bonnet (bonnet vert) was furnished by creditors for the purpose, as explained by Pothier, of warning all citizens to conduct their affairs with prudence, so as to avoid the risk of exposing themselves to such ignominy- In Scotland every debtor under similar circumstances was appointed to wear " the dyvour's habit," which was a coat or upper garment, half yellow and half j brown, with a cap of the same colours/ By a statute of William IV. "the dyvour's habit" was dispensed with, but if again adopted for drunkards it might not only promote temperance but could not fail to give a great" impetus to tho trade of clothiers about Easter time, and on the accasion, of all; holy fasts and feasts. " dyvour's habit" would also be most admirable garment for daily wear for tradesmen convicted of using false weights and measures, and in the case of ladies found guilty of a like offence the bonnet vert might be worn either for the promenade or behind the counter, and would produce a most pleasing effect. The ' Church Times' copies the following bona fide advertisement from a Kent paper:—"Notice.—ln conse quence of , the practical teetotal bootmaker of , being very ill in consequence of his having caught a severe cold through attending Divine service on that cold damp night, New Tear's Eve, in the large room connected with Ebenezer Chapel, , he therefore begs that all the Christian ministers who are personally acquainted with him will offer up prayers to Almighty God for his safe recovery to perfect health, at the many churches and Christain dissenting chapels in many large towns that he has very much frequented in his younger days, as hundreds of the poor in and the surrounding vilages are waiting for him to supply them with more cheap strong boots and shoes from his establishment, ' which has been established for more than three years." • The last news relative to the transcontinental telegraph line is of a more favorable character, and sanguinehopes are entertained that within a few weeks direct communication with Europe will be established.