nessed it, although, in consequence of the assizes and cessary to expatiate. The cause of temperance, says the teetotal proceedings, there could not be less than the report, the title of which stands at the head of 200,000 persons congregated together the streets were, this article, has now "overcome all opposition. in fact, impassable-not one man or woman was to be The people are anxious to obtain information; seen in a state of drunkenness; on the contrary, all were speakers are listened to with marked attention, and sober and well-conducted; and I am sure that there is it has become evident that in learning the truths of not a single person in all Connaught or Munster, or in that portion of Leinster which has become teetotalised, temperance, as well as in practising it, they have also learned to value knowledge and reason. It is who is sorry for having taken it.” now considered creditable to be a member of the The following address is so truly apostolic in its temperance society, and the people feel proud of the spirit and language, that we cannot omit to record progress of the cause throughout Ireland. drinking customs are fast giving way before it; and "The scene which they were then witnessing before there is reason to hope that amongst the working them was one which would be attended with the greatest classes intemperance will soon cease to be a prevablessings to their common country. The history of Ire-lent vice." it: The the certain consequence of such a happy consummation? Plenty will prevail where famine was a frequent visitant-religion and peace will flourish where crime and disorder were rampant-public confidence will increase-capital will flow into the countryparty spirit and civil broils will decline, along with And in other countries our national reputation for the their foster parents' ignorance and intemperance. more solid, as well as the more brilliant, moral, and intellectual endowments, will rise to a height hitherto unknown. The increase of domestic happiness, which the success of this cause has already produced, it would be difficult to conceive, and impossible to portray." land in times past was the blackest on the book of time; "When Ireland," says the committee of the Irish but henceforward it would be equally remarkable for Temperance Union, in their address to Father Mapeace, prosperity, and the total disappearance of religious thew, "becomes a sober nation (and we believe the differences. Teetotalism and charity would heal the day is not far distant), what may we not hope for as wounds which were inflicted by political and religious dissension and bigotry. All creeds and classes will live together in unity and harmony, and, in a word, as Christians should live. The Divine Redeemer has said- By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, that you love one another.' The word charity is misapplied when it is referred to alms-deeds, which is, in fact, but the effect of charity. They should do all the acts of their lives for the love of God, and it was impossible for them to love Him, if they did not also love their neighbours, who were his children. With the greatest reverence in the comparison, he would put it to them-how could a man say he bad esteem for another, if he hated or ill. treated his children? If a man who would so act met his neighbour and said to him, I am most happy to see you, my friend;' would not the other say to him, how "Already," say the members of the National can that be, seeing that you met my child cold and hun- Total Abstinence Association, in their address to the gry a while ago, and you refused to give it any relief? reverend gentleman, "is the seed beginning to gerWould he not then drive the pretended friend away from minate; our country having heroically burst from him; and is it not so with the Almighty God? For how the fetters of sensual prostration, is now rising in can any person love Him when he will not do any good the power and plenitude of her moral beauty, preto the poor, who are his tenants? Every man can do good to his neighbour, no matter how poor he may be; senting the majestic spectacle of a people at once for our Divine Redeemer has said, that even a cup of virtuous and brave, patient and generous. cold water given in his name will meet with its reward. temples of religion are crowded with worshippers; Even among the poorest of the poor, charity of this kind crime has disappeared from amongst your followers; can be exercised; for those who are too poor to give the cottage and the hamlet are now the abodes of money will be able to give advice, and their well wishes, peaceful industry and domestic comfort. The artisan when sincere, must meet with a blessing. It was one of consults the wants and interests of his growing the strongest marks of the teetotallers, that they were family, conscientiously discharges the duties of a obliged to be teetotallers in every thing. He must be husband and a parent, and moves with credit and totally free from all crimes, totally reformed, if he had respect in the honest and laudable vocation which been a drunkard; totally charitable and virtuous; and Providence has assigned him. A tone of self-respect he may expect ultimately to meet an eternal reward in has been generated, which is generally diffusing itself, and silently pervading all classes of the comThe pledge being solemnly repeated by the postu-munity; while the effects of this mighty movement lants, the reverend gentleman then gave them his blessing in these words: heaven." May God give you grace and strength to keep the pledge you have taken, and make you good citizens, subjects, sons, and husbands." The on the rising generation may be anticipated in the substitution of intellectual enjoyment for sensual indulgence, in the exercise of those rational pleasures which a cultivated taste will inspire; and in the universal emulation to acquire a sound, moral, and literary education, that high prerogative of intelIt has been calculated that during the seven or lectual man, to the attainment of which by all eight days the reverend gentleman remained in Dub-classes, the dissemination of our principles will, we lin, he administered the pledge to at least 60,000 persons. From Dublin he proceeded to the county of Wexford, and other parts of Ireland; in every place he has been attended by thousands, anxious to receive the pledge from his hands. feel convinced, give an inestimable impetus." In the appendix to the report before us, there are numerous statements collected, showing the results of the temperance movements in many parts of the north of Ireland. Upon the effect already produced, or likely to be "A moral regeneration," says the late Mayor of Liproduced, by these proceedings, it is almost unne-merick, "has taken place among the people of this city, TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT IN IRELAND. which is really most astonishing, and truly gratifying to every philanthropic mind. Our police reports are much lessened, petty-sessions business considerably reduced, and even summonses in the court of conscience have fallen off one third. Our streets and places of public resort are regular and quiet; and that which must be most gratifying, is the fact, that although reports have, at different times, been industriously circulated of mem. bers of the society having broken their temperance pledge, I have not been able to make out a solitary instance of such being the fact." "The appearance of our city on Saturday, (market day.) bore evidence sufficient to convince the most scep. tical of the improved habits of the people. We did not perceive a single drunken person on that day, nor have there been since then, as far as we can learn, more than four or five cases of drunkenness in the mayor's office."Kilkenny Journal, MALLOW. The fair which took place on Monday was well attended. I walked through the fair, and it gives me sincere pleasure to state, that I did not see one drunken man, or any person in the slightest degree in toxicated. BONMAHON." A happy change is already visible; this village and adjoining roads, which presented the disgust. ing scenes of drunkenness and quarreling on Sunday evenings, were last night as still as death; a stranger corning amongst us would imagine we were living under a curfew law; not a person was to be seen outside doors. Every man was in peace at home, surrounded by his joyous family, listening to his recital of the miraculous history of the day." "We notice coffee shops already driving a thriving trade; the bakeries obliged to do double work; the shambles scarcely equal to the demand; the grocers quite satisfied with themselves; and the publicans, hea. ven help them, in the mumps. Glorious signs these for our country; harbingers of halcyon days."- Waterford Chronicle. rary) 97 licensed public houses or spirit shops; sin^› NENAGH" It is really astonishing to behold the most abandoned and reckless characters, who a few weeks before were a scandal to society and the victims of drun. kenness, now showing forth in their lives models of virtue and tenperance, and putting to the blush those who in the beginning both sneered at and were sceptical as to its results." KILLARNEY. Before the foundation of the society, the publicans in this town numbered about sixty-four; at the October sessions fifteen surrendered their licenses, and as many more will follow their example at the next sessions. The respectable publicans, whose receipts hitherto averaged from two to three pounds per day, do not now receive ten shillings in the day." CARRICK-ON-SUIR.—(After describing a procession which attended the funeral of a deceased member of the Temperance Society)—" A little month ago, and the most of these men were the veriest victims of the most debasing brutalising intemperance; ever and anon they might be seen tottering from those moral pest houses-the dram shops-revolting masses of filth and rags, breathing A little blasphemy, disturbing public order, outraging public decency, loathsome objects of pity or disgust. month, and now they walk abroad redeemed, emanci LOUGHREA.-" Our town, which was heretofore infested pated from the vile enslavement of this most incorrigible, with drunken brawls, and the whiskey shops thronged most predominant of vicious propensities, drunkenness, with unfortunate beings eagerly swallowing the delete. decently and comfortably appareled, exhibiting in their rious drug, presents a most happy and beneficial change, tout ensemble not only the indications of cleanliness and • It is a melancholy fact, that while every other branch comfort, but presenting a mental amelioration, and lookof trade in this town has been for some years in a decli. ing cheerfulness and contentment; altogether so comning state, upwards of sixty public houses have had a pletely reformed as to render their recognition an act of respectable share of business.' 'Habitual drunkards have pleasing difficulty." disgraced our streets; and, on market days in particular, The population of the town and parish of Dunthe police were actively engaged in dragging unfortunate Garvan (county Waterford) numbers about 11,000. victims of intemperance to a prison. The case is hap. It is calculated, that of these, at least 1,000 spent pily altered; order and decorum are observed; the re formed drunkard, no longer brutalised by intemperance, sixpence a day in drink, which would amount to is peaceable and industrious; and even those who have about 9,000/. a year. Only imagine the benefits not yet taken the pledge, (not being surrounded by their which these whiskey drinkers (supposing even only late boon companions), are ashamed to be seen frequent-2,000 out of the whole to be reformed) must derive by converting 9,000l. a year to the purchase of ing the dram shops. Sane pablicans have given up their licenses, and are clothes and other articles conducive to their comfort! about opening soup shops and coffee rooms; and altogether the aspect of affairs is completely changed." CLONMEL The face of society here is altogether Not a single case of riot or assault occurred changed. at the last fair. The respectable inhabitants were as much surprised as gratified at this, and all persons feli. citated themselves in the great change that has taken place. The effect the society has in this part is inde. There were, even so late as last autumn, 75 whiskey shops in that town, and a careful inquirer has stated, that on an average, their sales amounted to 157. a week each house, which would be nearly 60,000l. a contributed, let us assume, from a semicircle whose year. This expenditure upon whiskey and porter, radius shall be fifteen miles in extent, (Dungarvan being a sea-port town,) applied to better purposes, must of necessity speedily ameliorate the whole form The change, indeed, must be marvellous, for we and appearance of society in that country. A decided find that from the evidence given before the commit- improvement showed itself in that town early in tee on drunkenness, that there was scarcely any November, when, the writer to whom we allude part of Ireland in which that vice prevailed more assures us, "that the public houses, shebeen shore, extensively than in Clonmel. In 1826, there were and dram counters, are now as deserted as Goldin that town (the chief town of the county Tippe- smith's village ale-house. Number One, the apart scribable," ment in our Bridewell designed for the reception of drunkards, is now at the service of any elderly lady or gentleman who may be in want of a good dry lodging in a retired situation. Our meat shambles are crowded with the wives and daughters of tradesmen, labourers, and fishermen, laying out the money hitherto spent in whiskey. The sale of tea, coffee, bread, oatmeal, and all other necessaries, which may be deemed luxurious to the humbler classes, has increased in a ratio of 60 per cent.; while the business of petty sessions courts, within a circle of fifteen miles about Youghal and Dungarvan, has decreased in a ratio of 80 per cent." It is stated by Mr. Cyrus Clark, of Glastonbury, Somersetshire, a member of the Society of Friends, who lately made a tour in the south of Ireland, that at Fermoy (county Cork), the usual number of spirit licenses applied for at the beginning of the year was, as he learned from good authority, eighty; but that this year the applications did not exceed five! "I have now," he adds, "returned to Dublin, and repeat that I have not seen more than one drunken man, to my knowledge, in the south of Ireland, and not one in Waterford, Clonmel, Cork, or Limerick! What a change!" The Irish excise revenue returns for the last quarter, especially from the southern and western districts, fully corroborate these various statements. We find it affirmed, upon what we know to be good authority, that "the periodical returns heretofore made from the local districts to the excise-office in Dublin, yielded upon an average 20,000/. each, and those returns are made about every two months. The last returns do not average more than from 2001. to 500. each. The excise revenue of Ireland has considerably exceeded 1,000,000l. per annum. The amount now received can scarcely reach half a million! Possibly it is much less, as whiskey has been the great source of excise revenue in this country. The temperance system has been rapidly extinguishing this branch of revenue; and in several counties the sums now paid to the collectors would not defray a fourth part of the salaries of the staff of officers employed in the collection." Some months ago, when the effect of Father Mathew's operations began to show themselves in very decided colours upon the surface of society, there were many who doubted the facts related concerning those operations, and perhaps a still greater number who looked upon the impulses towards temperance which thus simultaneously appeared in different parts of the country, as mere fanaticism, or, at best, a sort of contagious sympathy, which must speedily have spent itself in resolutions not intended, or not possible, to be kept inviolable for any length of time. We have it now, however, upon evidence not to be disputed, that a very large number of persons, say at the least five hundred thousand, have scrupulously adhered to the pledge during a period of three months. Here is a fact not to be denied. That some may relapse into their former bad habits is highly probable. Human frailty tells us that we cannot depend upon the attainment of moral perfection, even by a long course of virtuons action. But making every allowance for the weak and vulnerable points of our common character, we think we ought not to be charged with fostering mere visionary hopes, if we congratulate ourselves and the country upon the events now going on in Ireland. We think that there are not a few strong guarantees for the permanence of the change that has already taken place. In the first place, the vice of intemperance is of itself so disgusting, so injurious to happiness, health, and fortune, that when once it is abandoned, even for a short season, it is contemplated with a degree of horror which is a most powerful bar against the return of its ascendancy. In its absence virtues are acquired not practised beforelittle stores of wealth are gained, before unknownthe hearth, formerly neglected, is now kept cleanthe parents and the children, long accustomed to mere rags, are now comfortably clothed-the pot on the fire, hitherto familiar only with potatoes, now contains a leg of good mutton, or a piece of bacon well garnished with cabbage-the "rent" is easily paid-a cow is added to the two or three pigs which in days scarcely yet gone by were the sole payers of the rent, all other sources of gain having been squanNo doubt the returns from the eastern counties, dered on whiskey. It is morally impossible that which Father Mathew has been recently visiting, those days of destitution and misery can ever come will speedily show a similar decrease. We should back upon a people who have even for a short time not be at all surprised to find, in the course of a few become acquainted with the results of the tempemonths, the million per annum reduced to a sum not rance system. Add to these circumstances the feelmuch exceeding £100,000. For the revenue, how-ing of self-respect, attested from all quarters to have ever, we have no apprehensions. The deficiency been already acquired by the practisers of tempeunder one head will be rapidly supplied by a more rance-the public shame that attends relapse the than proportional augmentation under others--as that of tea, for example, which alone will probably compensate the chancellor of the exchequer for his temporary losses. But even were this not likely to be the result of the great moral revolution which is going on before our eyes, assuredly the solid groundwork thus laid for the regeneration of Ireland, would have been very cheaply purchased at the total sacrifice by the national treasury of a million sterling per annum. As to the inconvenience which this change may cause to distillers and other traders engaged in the manufacture or sale of spirits in Ireland, that also is a matter which may be easily amended. They would act wisely by taking their course at once, and transferring their capital to some other channel of employment. diminution, by reason of the almost total extinction of distilleries and whiskey shops, of the occasions of temptation-the increased vigilance and renewed exhortations of the clergy, and the deeper impression which such exhortations must produce upon minds newly opened to the charms of those ever admirable precepts that constitute the foundation of christianity. The local societies existing, or that soon will exist, in every quarter of the island, must also acquire a power within their districts which it will not be easy to overthrow, or even resist or elude to any material extent. These are all, as we humbly eonceive, guarantees of the most satisfactory description for the realisation of our best hopes on this most important subject. In short, as it appears to us, the relapse of any considerable portion of the Irish tem f perance societies into the habits of drunkenness, so long the disgrace, and hinderance to every effort for the amelioration of that country, would now be a more astonishing change than even the sudden and sublime diversion from the ways of evil to those of every virtue, which has been recently effected in that country. It is comparable to no event recorded in history, except the passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea. The God who opened to his people that path through the waters, and closed them again upon the Egyptians, their chariots and horsemen, knows how to set up his barriers against the second captivity of a nation which he has just set free from a still more terrible oppressor. morously demanded by the welfare of the country; and in this particular case of the tory pretensions, finding them sustained by the very extraordinary fact, that even out of office they are not out of power, but do really impress the conservative mind upon one half of the public measures, whilst of the other half a large proportion is carried only by their sufferance, by their forbearance, or by their direct co-operation-under such circumstances, an honourable party man will not think himself justified, for any insulated point of opinion, or even of practice, to load his party with the reproach of internal discord. Every party, bound together by principles of public fellowship, and working towards public objects, is entitled to all the strength which can arise from union, or the reputation of union. It is a scandal to have it said You are disunited-you cansends abroad dissentient opinions, through any powerful organ of the press, is the willing author of such a scandal. No gain upon the solitary truth concerned, can balance the loss upon the total reputation of his party for internal harmony. It is too soon yet to shape out all the political consequences which must follow from the moral changes now in progress through every part of Ireland. Temperance must beget wealth; wealth-not agree amongst yourselves;" and the man who self-respect, self-government, knowledge, power, tranquillity, the amalgamation of all parties into one people, the promotion of Ireland from a province to a nation. The example set by this country cannot be without its effect upon England, upon Europe, upon the whole earth. Let but the seeds of regeneration be freely cast upon that earth, and at the harvest time shall assuredly come the good fruit. Vast movements of men from the courses of vice to those of virtue may be hereafter looked for, as the result of labors directed betimes to that grand object. Thus shall the paradise so long lost to human vision be restored, and the sons of men be embraced in the one great fold of religion, charity and peace. From Blackwood's Magazine. THE OPIUM AND THE CHINA QUESTION. Meantime, as too constantly is the case in mixed questions, where there is much to distinguish, it is a very great blunder to suppose the conservative party to set their faces against a Chinese war. That party, with Sir Robert Peel for their leader, have in the house of commons recorded a strong vote against our recent Chinese policy; so far is true; but not against a Chinese war. Such a war, unhappily, is all the more necessary in consequence of that late policy a policy which provided for nothing, foresaw nothing, and in the most pacific of its acts laid a foundation and a necessity that hostilities should redress them. There is another mistake current-a most important mistake; viz. about the relation which the WE claim attention from the public on the state opium question bears to the total dispute with China. of our relations present and to come with China. It is supposed by many persons, that, if we should We pretend to no private materials upon the subject: grant the Chinese government to have been in the but in this respect we stand upon the same footing right upon the opium affair, it will follow of course as the leaders of our public counsels. All speak that we condemn the principle of any war, or of any from the text furnished to them by Captain Elliot's correspondence, as published in the newspapers. So far we stand upon the universal level. But it is astonishing how much advantage one man may gain over another, even where all start from the same basis of information, simply by these two differences-1st, by watching the oversight of his competitors, most of whom are apt to seize upon certain features of the case with an entire neglect of others; 2dly, by combining his own past experience, gathered from books or whatever sources, with the existing phenomena of the case, as the best means of deciphering their meaning or of calculating their remote effects. We do not wish to disguise that our views tend to the policy of war-war conducted with exemplary vigour. It is better to meet openly from the first an impression, (current amongst the hasty and undistinguishing,) that in such views there is a lurking opposition to the opinions of the conservatives. Were that true, we should hesitate. It is a matter of great delicacy to differ with one's party; and it is questionable whether, even in extreme cases, it can be right to publish such a difference. Once satisfied that the general policy of our party is cla hostile demonstrations against China. Not at all. Yet it is good to pause for a moment, and to look at this opium dispute so far as the documents give us any light for discussing it. The apologists of China say, that the Pekin government has laboured for some time to put down the national abuse of opium. Why, and under what view of that abuse? As a mode of luxury, it is replied, pressing upon the general health and for a second reason, as pressing the restlessness of change, and the tremulous libraseriously upon the national energies. This last we tion of the equipoise, guaranteed its speedy downput down in candour as a separate consideration fall. Here, therefore, and in this English predomibecause, though all unwholesome luxuries must be nance, is cause enough for alarm; how much more supposed indirectly to operate upon the cheerfulness since the war against Nepaul, in virtue of which the and industry of those who use them, with respect to English advance has pushed forward the English opium, in particular, it must be allowed, that this outposts within musket range of the Chinese, and secondary action is often the main one, and takes against the Burman empire, in virtue of which great place in a far larger proportion than simply accord- interposing masses have been seriously weakened. ing to the disturbances of health. There is a specific It is become reasonable that China should fear us; effect known to follow the habitual use of opium, by and, fearing us, she must allowably seek to increase which it speedily induces a deadly, torpor and dis- her own means of annoyance, as well as to blunt or relish of all exertion, and in most cases long before the health is deranged, and even in those constitutions which are by nature so congenially predisposed to this narcotic, as never to be much shaken by its uttermost abuse. to repel ours. Much of ours must lie in the funds by which we support our vast Indian establishment; and towards those funds it is understood that the opium trade contributes upwards of three million sterling per annum. In mere prudence, therefore, the cabinet of Pekin sets itself to reduce our power by reducing our money resources, and to reduce our money resources by refusing our opium. Thus far, and assuming all for truth which the Chinese tell us, we have before. us the spectacle of a wise and paternal government; and it recommends such wisdom powerfully to a moral people like ours, Such are the three reasons upon which it has been that we seem to see it exerting itself unpopularly alleged that Lin and his master have been proceednobly stemming a tide of public hatred, and deter- ing. And now, if it were so, what has any man to mined to make its citizens happy in their own de- say against these reasons? Have not nations a right spite. Fresh from this contemplation of disinter- to protect their own interests? Is not the path of ested virtue, how shocked we all feel on seeing our safety open to them, because it happens to lead away own scamps of sailors working an immense machi- from British objects? Why, as to that, measures nery for thwarting so beneficent a government! A are not always allowable in a second or third stage great conflagration is undermining all the social of intercourse which might have been so in the first. virtues in China; the emperor and commissioner But for the present we meditate no attack on these Lin are working vast fire-engines for throwing water measures. Let them be supposed purely within the upon the flames; and, on the other hand, our people privilege of a defensive policy. Only let us have are discharging columns of sulphur for the avowed purpose of feeding the combustion. "Scandalous!" we all exclaim; but, as the loveliest romances are not always the truest, let us now hear the other party. Plaintiff has spoken: Defen dant must now have his turn. things placed on their right footing, and called by their right names; and let us not be summoned to admire, as acts of heroic virtue which put to shame our Christianity, what under this second view appears to be a mere resort of selfish prudence. But, then, is it certain that this second view of the case is the correct view? Why, we have before acknowledged that documents are wanting for either view; any inference, for or against the Chinese, will be found too large for the premises. The materials 1st, As having at length a rival interest of its do not justify a vote either of acquittal or of impeachown; Lin and others are said to have some thou- ment: but, as this is so, let us English have the sands of acres laid down as poppy plantations. benefit of this indistinctness in the proofs equally Now, the English opium, and that of Malwa, as an with the Chinese. So much, at the very least, is old concern, is managed much more cheaply. To fair to ask, and something more; for, upon the face exclude the foreign growth is essential, therefore, as of this Chinese solicitude for the national virtue, the first step towards a protection to the infancy of some things appear suspicious. "Nemo repente fuit the home growth. On this view of the case we turpissimus."-Nobody mounts in a moment to the would recommend a sliding duty, such as that of our corn-laws, to the celestial opium growers. 2dly, That this foreign opium caused a yearly drain of silver; from the small range of Chinese commerce, it is impossible for China to draw upon foreign states; much of the imports must now be paid for in hard downright silver, which is the more disgusting, as formerly the current of silver ran precisely in the other direction. excess of profligacy and it is equally probable that "Nemo repente fuit sanctissimus." This sudden leap into the anxieties of parental care, is a suspicious fact against the Chinese government. Then, again, is it, or can it be true, that in any country the labouring class should be seriously tainted. by opium? Can any indulgence, so costly as this, have struck root so deeply as to have reached the subsoil of the general national industry? Can we 3dly, That the English have become objects of shut our eyes to this gross dilemma? Using much intense jealousy at the court of Pekin. Indeed, it is opium, how can the poor labourer support the extime for that cabinet to look about with some alarm, pense-using little, how can he suffer in his enerwere it only that a great predominating power has gies or his animal spirits? In many districts of arisen in India-a conquering power, and a harmo- Hindostan, as well as of the Deccan, it is well known nising power, where heretofore there was that sort that the consumption of opium is enormous; but of balance maintained amongst the many Indian prin- amongst what class? Does it ever palpably affect cipalities which Milton ascribes to the anarchy of the public industry? The question would be found chaos; one might rise superior for a moment, but ludicrous. Our own working class finds a great, |