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how many millions of wretches have they sent to an untimely grave! We look upon all these customs, from the palace to the cottage, as sources of great vices, crimes, and woes; and we denounce them wholesale, as the abomination of desolation. There are many portions of this book deeply interesting, and the whole we strongly recommend to the public.”—Glasgow Liberator.

"It is unanimously resolved, that this Meeting cordially approve of this petition, [relative to the drinking usages,] and earnestly recommend the subject to the careful consideration of the community."-Minutes of Magistrates and Council of Greenock.

"We are glad to learn that Mr. Dunlop, the founder of Temperance Societies in Scotland, is engaged in ascertaining the number and nature of drinking usages on this side of the Tweed, with a view to their abolition. . . . . His view appears to be the just one."London Christian Advocate.

"J. Dunlop, Esq. is applying himself to the labour of exposing the various compulsory drinking usages which prevail. Need we say that we wish this true patriot success? Need we urge our friends .to render him every possible facility and encouragement ?"-London Temperance Examiner.

"It affords us sincere pleasure to learn that that distinguished friend of the total abstinence cause, John Dunlop, Esq. is in the metropolis, collecting information respecting the artificial drinking usages. He was the first to unfurl the banner of Temperance in Scotland. We need not repeat that we most heartily welcome him to London. We perceive, from various Scottish periodicals, that preparatory to leaving Greenock, he was publicly presented by his townsmen with a service of silver plate."-London Temperance Intelligencer.

"John Dunlop, Esq. the Founder of the fiRST TEMPERANCE SOCIETY IN GREAT Britain, was very appropriately called to the chair (at the meeting of delegates to institute the Total Abstinence Union of Scotland.)”—Isle of Man Guardian.

"It was unanimously agreed to, that the Presbytery highly approve of the general object contemplated in the petition, and recommend to each of the members to take every step within their power to effect the abolition of the usages referred to. Farther appoint a Committee to cooperate with other public bodies in this matter, to wait upon masters of works, heads of families, and individual workmen, to induce them to concur in setting their faces against the continuance of these and other similar pernicious customs. It was farther agreed to, that the thanks of this Presbytery be given to Mr. Dunlop, for the zeal, energy, and unwearied assiduity shown by him in connexion with the general subject of

Temperance; which was accordingly done by the moderator.”Minutes of Presbytery of Greenock (fourteen parishes).

"That this association believing that the drinking customs are among the most powerful causes of intemperance, would strongly urge upon all Temperance Societies. . . . the circulation of the excellent publication of J. Dunlop, Esq. whose tracts on the subject are entitled to the highest consideration.”—Minutes of fifth annual Conference of the General British Association of Temperance, held at Birmingham.

"The assembly earnestly recommend each society strenuously to endeavour to abrogate the artificial and compulsory drinking usages. within its bounds.". -Resolutions of Delegates for forming the Scottish Temperance Union. (Total Abstinence.)

Similar clauses and notices favourable to this work may be found in the minutes of the following bodies: viz. British and Foreign Temperance Society, New British and Foreign Society, the Societies (temperance or total abstinence) of Dublin, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Paisley, Greenock, and many other places.

Favourable testimony has also been received from individua leaders of the Temperance reformation throughout Great Britain and Ireland: viz. from Professor Edgar, Belfast; Colonel M'Dowall, Wigtonshire, C. B.; Rev. William Symington, D.D. Stranraer; Rev. Mr. Martin, of Bathgate; Rev. Owen Clarke, London; John Owen, Esq. Montgomeryshire; Rev. Professor Willis, Glasgow; James Simpson, Esq. Advocate, Edinburgh; Samuel Tuke, Esq. York; R. G. White, Esq. Dublin; W. Janson, Esq. London; J. Meredith, Esq. London; J. Cropper, Esq. Liverpool; Rev. F. Beardsall, Manchester; Professor Greenbank, Leeds; Mr. Fargher, Isle of Man; Mr. Green, London; Mr. Livesy, Preston; Mr. Finch, Liverpool; R. Kettle, Esq. Glasgow; Mr. T. A. Smith, London; W. C. Chapman, Esq. Birmingham; Wm. Collins, Esq. Glasgow; John Capper, Esq. London; Dr. R. Kaye Greville, Edinburgh; and Mr. Court, Montreal.

"The following very appropriate extract from a late work of J. Dunlop, Esq. was here read (extract from the pamphlet). The meeting then listened to a Eulogy on Eminent Scotsmen.'-' The only other living Scotsman whom I shall take leave to notice, is Mr. John Dunlop of Greenock - "-Report of Meeting on St. Andrew's Day, Canada Temperance Advocate.

"Your Committee feel that they are only discharging a debt of gratitude to this gentleman (Mr. Dunlop), AS THE EARLIEST PLEADER OF THE TEMPERANCE CAUSE IN GREAT BRITAIN, when they record

xvi

NOTICES OF FORMER EDITIONS.

their admiration of the intrepidity and firmness of purpose with which he stepped forward as the open and uncompromising advocate of Temperance Societies, in defiance of all the obloquy and scorn, the avowed hostility, or freezing indifference, which met him in every quarter; and they gladly award him the honour of being the FATHER OF TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES IN SCOTLAND.' "—First Report of Scottish Temperance Society, 1830.

66 Having read the Artificial Drinking Usages of North Britain' with great pleasure, as far as the design and able execution of it by the author is concerned, I beg again to offer you my sincere thanks, as well as for the real value of the gift you have bestowed. What a sad and curious picture you give of the customs and propensities of our native land! I am very glad you have taken up the subject of the usages, etiquettes, and courtesies that lead to drinking; for to put a stop to this, rests very much, as you have shown, with the employers of working people, and the upper classes of society, and may therefore be the more easily dealt with. I hope your work will be duly attended to, as it ought to be, and produce the good effects you contemplate; and then I am sure you will feel in your own mind a rich reward for all the labour and trouble you have taken, for so many years, to reform your countrymen, and also (I blush to say it) your countrywomen."-Joanna Baillie.

THE

PHILOSOPHY AND SYSTEM

OF

ARTIFICIAL AND COMPULSORY

DRINKING USAGE

.IN

GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

INTRODUCTION.

Ir is a matter of interesting inquiry, to investigate the various modes of inebriation as they exist in different countries; and the examination becomes serious and important, when it is undertaken with a view to address a cure to the intemperance of any given community.

In entering upon this topic, it will be found that there are strong shades of difference in the occasions on which intoxicating liquors are used in various nations: so much so, as to make it manifest that the mode of cure of national intemperance must, in the nature of things, vary with these circumstances. To those who are habituated to attend

B

to the power of peculiar customs on the morals of a people, these considerations will appear of no mean importance; and I humbly hope, that the views of the wise and intelligent in Great Britain will soon be universally and intently directed to this subject.

In the United States of America, the grand source of temperance reform, it was, previous to the introduction of temperance societies, considered as nothing shameful for men to drink liquor by themselves. Indeed, at that period, solitary drinking was there an admitted practice. And in using this phrase, it is not intended, at present, to throw any reflection upon the custom, supposing that it obtained in moderation. We employ it, therefore, in no unfavourable sense; but we wish, at this early stage, to suggest to the reader the striking and characteristic difference that subsists, as to this particular point, in the views and opinions of the inhabitants of this country, when contrasted with those of the Americans. For here so strong is the general feeling upon the subject, that even many open drunkards would abhor the idea of being convicted of solitary drinking. In America, if we may trust the narratives of travellers, there is scarce such a thing known as men sitting together in company at wine or liquor after dinner; and much of the day's allowance of spirits is, so far as the progress of temperance still permits it, discussed before meridian has passed. Of course inebriation is less mixed up there with the socialness and courtesy of life,

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