1903 The Flowing Bowl by Edward Spencer

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CHAPTER XX

SWORN OFF !

Introduction of temperance into England—America struck it first-—Doctor Johnson an abstainer—Collapse of the Per missive Bill—Human nature and forbidden fruit—Effects of repressive legislation—Sunday closingin Wales—Paraffin for miners—Toasting Her Majesty—Agood win—A shout and a drink — Jesuitical logic of the prohibitioners —The end justifies the means—A few non-alcoholic recipes—Abstainers and alcohol— Pure spring-water -v. milk-punch—" Tried baith ! " The first temperance society in England was formed at Bradford, Yorkshire, on the 2nd February 1830, the chief mover having been Mr. Henry Forbes, who had signed the pledge at Glasgow. But the use of ardent spirits was condemned by many medical practitioners early in the seventeenth century, although the United Kingdom does not seem to have abstained from strong waters any the more. Repressive legisla tion, in order to inculcate sobriety, was tried in Massachusetts, U.S., early in the present century, but a few years before a society had been formed at Moreau, New York State, in order to prohibit the consumption of both wines and spirits, except