committed, is used for the express purpose of bringing men up to such a sufficiency of recklesness as will fit them to perpetrate that pleasantly, which is soon to fill a district with unutterable woe? Whisky, is the word which is legitimately the answer to all these queries.

If there is any truth therefore in these views, I cannot but congratulate my excellent friends in the Temperance Reformation in Ireland. I bid them thank God, and take courage: let them look with confidence and delight at the honourable prospect that extends far and wide before them; and while others talk, let them act; and the blessing and approving smile of Providence be upon them!

Difficulty of introducing the Doctrine of Anti-Usage-Usages of Shipwrights-Iron Founders-Mugging-Foremen-Allowances

of Drink-Whitesmiths-Blacksmiths-Chain Cable Manufacturers-Curriers-Joiners and Carpenters-Sail-makers.

THE principal difference that once existed between the potations of England and Scotland was, that the former indulged in comparatively moderate quantities of mild ales, while the latter despised anything short of the bite of ardent spirits. This mark of distinction has, however, of late years, begun to wear away; and England has commenced a decided partiality for the more desperate beverage of the sister country. I do not find, however, that a perfect assimilation has yet taken place in all parts of the southern empire. It is chiefly in large towns, and in the immediate vicinity of these, that the change has become as yet alarmingly perceptible: there, a fearful resem❤ blance to the inebriation of Ireland and Scotland is becoming a prevailing feature.

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Although in 1829 I felt myself so ignorant of the drinking usages, and peculiar modes of inebriation of South Britain, that I declined for that reason to commence a series of lectures on the subject of Association for Temperance in England; yet I was satisfied, from the analogy of the case, that a similar artificial and compulsory system was likely to prevail on both sides of the Tweed. On making application by letter to friends in the South, this was denied; and even as late as 1834, when called to attend the parliamentary investigation on drunkenness, I found great difficulty in persuading some of the most anxious friends of the temperance cause in England, that there was any necessity for an investigation on this point: and although I had established a somewhat extensive correspondence on this subject, it was only in 1837, when I had opportunity of making a wide personal examination, that I was enabled to satisfy some of the principal friends of the cause in the three kingdoms, that a pernicious system of usage and compulsion prevailed throughout, to a large amount; and to which it was necessary to apply effective remedies.

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We shall examine these customs, as regards South Britain, without much regard to the order in which they may be taken: keeping in mind our former division of them into those connected with handicrafts and trades, including the new series of those instituted in the trade clubs and unions; and then the usages chiefly connected with domestic life.

We shall commence with the case of

Shipwrights. The apprentice footing amounts in general to two guineas. The penalty for nonpayment is flogging with a handsaw from time to time; and this and other mal-treatment is pursued till the usage money is paid. In some building yards, it is only about a dozen of the oldest apprentices that enjoy this treat: it frequently is the occasion of two or three days' idleness and drunkenness. One informant has seen a boy's head laid open for non-compliance with this dangerous usage; and has known a wedge thrown at another from behind, that laid him senseless on the ground. At the expiration of the apprenticeship, or "loosing," a sum varying from one to five pounds is expected," though this is less compulsory than some other usages. At launching there is from five to ten pounds given by the owners of the new ship. Besides this, in some cases, the apprentices are in use to wait upon and receive drink-money from dealers who furnish articles for the vessel; such as the block-maker, painter, plumber, glazier, joiner, and others. The whole is expended in a supper and drink by the older apprentices, each bringing his sweetheart, or a friend. Disgraceful scenes of drunkenness often occur in consequence of this! usage, which frequently end in jail or bridewell. Such methods of amusement and recreation must further have a very deteriorating effect on the female friends of this class of workmen.

The caulking footing is 10s. given by the owners to the men to drink. When the keel of a new vessel is laid, the employer gives a certain sum

for drink; and every pair of sawyers in the yard gives 3s of" chip-money." This, with the addition of other tribute, is spent in drink. One informant has seen several days' drunkenness the result of this usage. When the lower-deck beams are got in, the owners of the vessel bestow from 21s. to 42s. and the employer 20s. for drink to the men.

At marriage, a man gives 10s. to the others to drink: this generally causes a "spree," as it is called.

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If men come to the yard on Monday with dirty shirt or shoes, or unshaved, they are fined 1s. for drink. This is a regulation of most trades in England, but not in Scotland, shewing the greater advance in the healthy luxury of cleanliness made in South Britain. Such a law of trade might be expected also in Holland; but scarcely in France, Spain, or Italy. It seems, at first sight, a useful regulation, evincing a laudable regard to neatness and purity; but in point of fact, it is used in practice, according to my information, merely as an excuse to "start a drink." Some men in a workshop make quite a trade and business of suggesting and enforcing such usages. My informants in this case have known two or three days' drinking arise from such a trifle; thus, it appears that even the superior cleanliness of the English nation is made a highway for the triumphant passage of inebriation. And here I am tempted to diverge, and relate a story, illustrative of a similar instance of strong drink intermeddling with matters in which, at first sight, it seemed to have little connexion.