23tj 3Iississippi Valley Horticultural Society. 



medical authorities, such as Dr. Lunier, medical inspector of the insane asy- 

 hims and prisons of France, and at the same time Secretary of the Temper- 

 ance Society there, has shown, by able researches, that the ratio of percentages 

 of disease and crime attributable to alcoholic excesses decreases in propor- 

 tion as in each district the consumption of wine and beer increases; that 

 natural wine and beer cures the thirst for distilled spirits instead of exciting 

 it. The French Temperance Society aims to repress entirely the circulation 

 and sale of bad spirits — discovering modes of detecting them, punishing 

 adulterators of wines, beers, etc., and encouraging the use of pure, cheap wine, 

 beer, tea and coffee, as the best means of curing the public thirst for distilled 

 alcohol. 



American travelers returning from Europe, who were strong opponents 

 of wine before they visited these countries, now testify that where wine is 

 most abundant, cheap, and generally used by the people, drunkenness does 

 not exist. 



But I am requested not to discuss the temperance question, and I have no 

 desire to do it. I simply stated a few facts. I do not deny that wine is in- 

 toxicating if used to excess, but not more harmful, aye, even less so, than 

 drinking ice water to excess. I am sure that to every one who has been 

 killed by wine, a thousand have been killed by ice water; and I may certain- 

 ly be permitted to quote the New Testament, which teaches (1 Tim., v. 23), 

 'Drink no longer water, but u.<e a little wine for thy stomach's sake." Or to 

 quote the greatest poet, Shakespeare, saying: "Good wine is a good, famil- 

 iar creature, if it be well used." I could quote for hours, for, next to love, 

 wine was most and best sang by poets of all tongues. I shall, however, quote 

 one verse only, beautifully rendered in English by a dear lady friend of 

 mine: 



From the wine-eiip's red and fiery fountain. 



From the gohlet's depths, enchanted gleaming. 

 Deadly poison and a sweet refreshment, 

 Beauty and vulgarity are streaming. 

 'Tis according to the drinker's pleasure, 

 'Tis his will that qualifies the measure. 

 Thus the fool, by coarsest slumber fettered. 

 Lies enchained— the slave of his desires: 

 And the cup that robs him of his manhood, 



At our lips but strengthens and inspires; 

 Kindles sparks of wit about us gleaming, 

 Lends our speech an angel's inspiration, 

 Sends a glow through every vein, and beauty 



Wraps us in her sweet intoxication. 

 For is wine not like unto the rain-drop 



Which is filth itself when filth it reaches. 

 But on fruitful ground it proves a blessing, 

 And its hidden worth to mankind teaches. 



