Next comes an important and, as we believe, a highly logical passage in reply to the objection that the use of alcohol in any shape or form is not 'natural.' The essayist remarks, 'Our natural state is that in which we live.' Had this doctrine been fully thought over and acted upon by our fanatics, we should have had much less nonsense talked, and probably more good done. But in dealing with this natural and non-natural taste for alcohol, it seems to us that the writer has missed a point which scores well in the argument. For we cannot overlook the universal tendency to the use of alcoholic liquors or substitutes for them. Everywhere, we believe all over the world, wherever anything of a fermentisible nature is to be found, be it mare's milk, or the juice of the palm, there we find alcohol used in some shape or form, and always looked upon as something to be most highly desired. Nay, more - where, as among the Siberian Koraks, alcohol is not to be found, we find an intoxicating fungus taking its place. And is not the Mohammedan's coffee but a similar substitute? So much for 'nature.'

Turning to another part of his argument, Sir James Paget says, not only is the presumption not opposed to moderation, bat it is distinctly in its favour; and to prove this point he has had recourse to a comparison between the east and the west, between those who do not use alcohol and those who do. He finds that the balance is distinctly in favour of the western races, not perhaps as regards longevity, but as regards 'working powers, whether bodily or mental.' And here comes a passage we cannot forbear to quote, it seems so full of a wisdom too often neglected. 'Longevity,' says he, 'is not the only or the best test of the value of things on which we live. It may be only a long old age, or a long course of years of idleness or dulness, useless alike to the individual and the race. That which is most to be desired is a natural power and will for good working, good thinking, and a long duration of the period of life fittest for these; and,' he adds, 'facts show that these are more nearly attained by the peoples who drink alcohol than by those who do not.'

Again, comparing the north with the south, he finds that ascertained facts with regard to these establish a similar view. The northerners, the alcohol-drinkers, are 'better men in force of body and mind than are the heirs of the abstainers.' Next he argues, we, being the heirs of many generations of alcohol-drinkers, ought by this time, if the habit were so evil, to show signs of a degeneration which he denies to be the case. 'If then,' says he, 'healthy families are born after thirty generations of habitual drinkers of alcohol, how can we fairly charge its moderate use with doing mischief?'

Finally he urges, granted that the excessive use of alcohol is mischievous, it by no means follows as a matter of necessity that small quantities will have similar effects. Take the case of quinine or of arsenic, where large quantities have totally different effects from smaller doses.

One more quotation, and we have done. Sir James Paget ends as we began: 'What is this moderation? How may we define it? Let those who thus ask try to define to the satisfaction of any ten persons what, under all circumstances, and to all peoples, is moderation in bread, or the wearing of jewels, in hunting, or in the language of controversy.' Moderation and excess in either direction, temperance and intemper ance, are but relative terms not always understood alike, and, if understood, certainly not acted upon."

(B.) - "On the Physiological Action of Alcohol." - Abstract of a paper discussed at the Medical Society of London, by Dr. Lauder Brunton, January, 1876.

Alcohol, in small quantities, increases the secretion of gastric juice and the movements of the stomach, and thus aids digestion. Although unnecessary in health, it is useful in exhaustion and debility. It increases the force and frequency of the pulse, by acting reflexly through the nerves of the stomach. In large doses it impairs digestion by precipitating pepsine, and over-irritating the stomach. It may produce death reflexly by shock. After absorption into the blood, it lessens the oxidising power of the red blood corpuscles. This property renders it useful in reducing temperature; when constantly or very frequently present in the blood it causes accumulation of fat, and fatty degeneration of organs. It undergoes combustion in the body, maintains or increases the body weight, and prolongs life on an insufficient diet. It is, therefore, entitled to be reckoned as a food. If large doses are taken, part of it is excreted unchanged. It dilates the blood-vessels, increases the force and frequency of the heart, imparts a feeling of comfort, and facilitates bodily and mental labour. It does not give additional strength, but merely enables a man to draw upon his reserve energy. It may thus give assistance in a single effort, but not in prolonged exertions. The same is the case with the heart; but in disease, alcohol frequently slows instead of quickening this organ, and thus economises instead of expending its reserve energy. By dilating the vessels of the skin, alcohol warms the surface at the expense of the internal organs. It is thus injurious when taken during exposure to cold, but beneficial when taken after the exposure is over, as it tends to prevent congestion of internal organs. The symptoms of intoxication are due to paralysis of the nervous system; the cerebrum and cerebellum being first affected, then the cord, and lastly, the medulla oblongata. The apparent immunity which drunk men enjoy from the usual effects of serious accidents, is due to the paralysis of the nervous mechanism, through which shock would be produced in a sober condition.