1834.] TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES. 357 drunkenness. However, much real good had been effected through the instrumentality of these societies. In numerous instances, in the houses of the poor, and in many respectable families, who had always considered the spirit bottle as a necessary appendage to their tables, people had been induced, through listening to the rational appeals of the advocates of temperance, to banish it from their habitations. No one could be astonished that these societies had not prevailed to a greater extent, when it was considered that they had to contend with the taunts and reproaches of an innumerable host of opponents,—that even members of parliament had joined in the cry against them, and that the profligate part of the press had followed their example; and, when the great extent of property some part of the public had embarked in gin-palaces, beer-shops, and all the ramifications which upheld drunkenness, was taken into account, no one need be amazed at the strong opposition made to the progress of temperance institutions. The Rev. Chairman mentioned a fact to prove the extraordinary expenditure of money by mechanics, who were regularly addicted to habits of intoxication. A manufacturer in the neighbourhood in which he resided, in a conversation with one of his men on the evils resulting from drunkenness, alluded among other things to the sum of money which the individual he was addressing, a confirmed drunkard, must have spent in drink; the workman in reply said, "Master, you do not know how much money I have spent, or what I could have saved, ever since I have been in your employ, if I had been temperate; I have been in your service fourteen years, during which time I have received twenty-five shillings per week, and being a single man, out of that sum I could readily have put by ten shillings each week, which would have been more than 3607; and this, with the interest, would have amounted to 5007." "This fact," said the Rev. Chairman, "will at once show the folly and wickedness of those, who, instead of, by their industry, making a provision for sickness and old age, are wasting their substance in a pursuit which is at once destructive both to their bodies and their souls." He also related another striking instance, which came under his own cognizance, of the superlative happiness resulting to a family, from the father of it being reclaimed from habits of drunkenness. In conclusion he said, Temperance Societies were worthy of the sanction and support of every lover of religion and good order, if they only moralized individuals-if they only brought peace and harmony into the midst of families; but if, through the blessing of God, they were instrumental in saving the soul, in effecting a vital change in individuals-if they were the handmaids to the gospel-if they broke the chain of intemperance which fettered and bound down the human mind in guilt and darkness,—then ought these societies to be especially promoted; for while men were under the influence of intoxication, the ministers of Christ would labour in vain in reference to such characters, for truth would make no impression on their hearts. He therefore urged all to assist in this labour of love, by coming forward and promoting the cause of Temperance Societies. We lament that our limits will not allow us now to give extracts from the excellent speeches of Mr. Parry, Mr. Stowell, and other gentlemen who addressed the meeting. AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT INSTITUTION. THIS excellent institution was formed for the commendable purpose of redeeming the rural orders from the poverty, wretchedness, and crime with which they are beset; by giving to the destitute, but industrious, useful and profitable employment, so as to enable them to support themselves and families with credit, and bring up their children in habits of industry and honesty. It is patronised by several of the Royal Family and many of the Nobility and Clergy; and is, we trust, receiving continual additions to the number of its supporters. By Parliamentary papers it appears that more than fifteen million acres of land, now laying waste in this kingdom, are capable of being cultivated; and that many millions beside might be rendered more productive than at present, by increasing the quantity of labour employed upon 1834.] EXTRACTS FROM THE PUBLIC NEWSPAPERS. 359 them. The object of the Agricultural Employment Society is to obtain possession of this or other lots of land, by grant, gift, lease, or purchase; and confer it, at a small rent, upon the labouring classes, providing them, at the same time, with implements, and instructions for its cultivation. We are informed that the Committee purchased a great part of the land, by way of experiment, in the parish of Cholesbury, Buckinghamshire, where they were induced to commence operations on account of the prevailing distress and pauper condition of the rural inhabitants. The whole of the land was then laying waste, having been abandoned by the occupier in consequence of the poor rates, which absorbed the entire rental and profits; while the paupers were supported by rates from the adjoining parishes. Some idea of the success of this experiment may be formed from the following extract of a letter from a gentleman who lately passed through that afflicted district. He says: "Contrasting the deplorable state of the Cholesbury poor at this period last year with their present happy condition, the effect is delightful to all who witness it. Last winter the clergyman's door was crowded daily by the starving poor imploring food: this year they are cultivating their respective allotments, and each man has a beautiful crop of wheat growing for the maintenance of his family next year. We invite all whose hearts and purses are open to the distresses of that vital portion of our population-the agricultural labourers-to visit Cholesbury, and we are sure their feelings will be more than gratified; and this will prove the best test to recommend the important operation of this noble institution." EXTRACTS FROM THE PUBLIC NEWSPAPERS, &c. CARD-PLAYING IN PUBLIC-HOUSES.-Several publicans in London were lately fined, in the mitigated penalty of 40s. and costs, for permitting card playing in their houses.-Salisbury Herald. SEVERITY OF CANADIAN WINTERS.-During the severity of the season, milk may be carried to market in sacks. And in some parts the French population on the banks of the St. Lawrence break the ice, and catch astonishing quantities of small fish, which freeze the moment they are taken out of the water, and in this state are occasionally given as food to cattle. It may appear strange, that after being in this frozen state for some time, on being put into cold water and thawed they again exhibit life. -Salisbury Herald. The following hymn was written by the Rev. W. L. Bowles, and admirably sung by the village choir at Bunhill, Wilts, on the occasion of a Sermon being preached for the Church Building Society under the king's sanction. Hail, ye Temple of the Lord, Where first devotion's flame we felt, And be our Church, our Churchyard blest, In the same spot of peace may rest. (Sent by D. I. E.) SAGACITY OF RATS.-A box, containing some bottles of Florence oil, was placed in a store room, which was seldom opened, the lid of the box having been taken away. On going to the room for one of the bottles, the pieces of the bladder and the cotton which were at the mouth of each bottle had disappeared, and a considerable quantity of the contents of the bottles had been consumed. This circumstance having excited surprise, a few bottles were filled with oil, and the mouth of them secured as before. The next morning the coverings of the bottles had been removed, and some of the oil was gone. On watching the room, which was done through a small window, some rats were seen to get into the box and insert their tails into the necks of the bottles, and then withdrawing them, they licked off the oil which adhered to them. I would not have ventured to introduce this anecdote, had I not been as much convinced of its accuracy as if I had been a witness of it myself.-Jesse's Gleanings from Natural History. NEW METHOD OF EXTINGUISHING FIRE.-A German paper, the Morgenblatz, mentions a discovery, which it says, has created, (naturally enough, we think,) considerable sensation in Germany. This discovery is a simple method of extinguishing fire by means of chopped straw ! The thing appears so paradoxical, that it could not have been believed, had it not been for the experiments made, the principal of which are the following:-A few handfuls of chopped straw were thrown into a fire-place, and the fire was immediately extinguished. Several bundles of straw were burnt, but the chopped straw remained uninjured. A bar of red-hot iron was plunged into a heap of chopped straw; it did not take fire, but, on the contrary, the bar soon got cold. Some very dry wood was lighted, and when the fire was very ardent, the wood was covered with some chopped straw, over which was placed some gunpowder; the fire soon went out, and the powder, only separated from the fire by some chopped straw, did not ignite. The Prussian Government lately ordered some farther experiments to be made, from which it appears that the principal cause of the phenomenon is the humidity which escapes from the chopped straw when it becomes heated!—Salisbury Herald. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. We have received the communications of F. C; E. & E. C. some extracts from the North Wales Chronicle, and some from the Horticultural Register, and a number of Facts and Illustrations by the Labourer's Friend Society; the three last without a name. QUESTIONS ON THE COLLECT FOR ADVENT SUNDAY. Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty, to judge both the quick and dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen. Question. WHAT is it that we ask of Almighty God in this Collect? Answer. We pray for grace that we may put off the works of darkness. Q. For what other purpose do we pray for grace? Q. When? A. In the time of our mortal life. Q. Who came to visit us in great humility? A. Christ. Q. When will Christ come in glorious majesty? VOL. XIV. NO. 23. Y |