324

IBOER.

frRal ‘

1849. into a mation of water Irinkers, T see no reason Why, i
ir. 48. addition to sur bein» the mest energetic, we should nob be
the most polish? people, for we are inferior to none it
the inherent qualities of the gentleman, truthfulness and
benevolence, Wit these sentiments, IT need not say boW
much I reverence your efforts in the cause of teetotalism
and how gratified I was to find that my note (writted
privately, by the way, to Mr. Cassell) should have afforded
you any satisfuction. Iam » living tribute to the soundness
of your principles, With a delicate frame and nervous
temperament, I have been enabled, by temperance, t0 a
the work of a strong man. But it has only been by more
and more temperance. In my early days I used sometime?
bo join with others in a glass of spirit and water, and beer
was my every-day drink. I soon found that spirits would
not do, and for twenty years I have not taken a glass unless
a8 a medicine. Then port and sherry became almost 29
incompatible with my mental exertions, and for many years
I have not touched those wines excepting for form’s sel?
in after-dinner society. Latterly, when dining out, I find
it necessary to mix water even with champagne. Ab DY
own table I never have anything but water when dining
with my fareily, and we have not a beer-barrel in the house
For some years we have stipulated with all our servants
drink water, and we allow them extra wages to show thab
we do not wish to treat them worse than our neighbours:
All my children will, I hops, be testotellers. So you 86°
that without beginning upon principle, T have boen brought
bo your beverage solely by a mice observance of what i
necessary to omable me to surmount an average mental
labour of at least twelve hours a day. I need not add hab
it would be ro sacrifice fo me to join your ranks by taking
the pledge. On the contrary, it would be a satisfaction 8
me to know that from this moraput T should npwep Hood