208 HOESES AND RIDING. 



It would be difficult to convince the public in 

 general that an3^one wlio wagers an amount which 

 it is no inconvenience to him to pay, or that anyone 

 who drinks a small quantity of wine which is in- 

 sufficient to affect him injuriously, is doing anything 

 more than indulging in a pleasure. 



While most people would agree that anyone who 

 habitually drinks more than he ought to take, or 

 Avagers a greater sum than he ought to be able to 

 spare if he lost, is guilty of a vice differing only in 

 magnitude according to the extent to which it is 

 indulged in. 



Thus all the people holding the three different 

 views I have mentioned are right, but they are right 

 only in particular instances, and it is by applying 

 their rule indiscriminately to all people and at all 

 times, that their views become unfair aiid do not 

 meet with the general recognition they wish. 



Next as to the analogy between the legislation, or 

 the laws which have been passed, regarding betting 

 on the one hand, and the consumption of drink on 

 the other. 



Both are legal, but the laws affecting them are 

 framed as if they were to a certain extent illegal. It 

 is le^al to sell drink only at certain times, and it is 

 leo-al to make bets only under certain conditions. It 

 is legal to sell drink in a place licensed for the 

 purpose, and nowhere else, while we might almost 

 say it is legal to make a bet anywhere except in a 

 place appointed for the purpose. 



