152 DRINKS COMPARED. 



course it is placed obliquely at a regulated 

 angle ; and I may remark that, in using a 

 common tallow candle, it is well to adopt the 

 same practice, so that it may consume its own 

 wick, and not require snuffing : the chemical 

 reason of this I need not explain to you. You 

 well observe that old habits and things have 

 their resting place. Yet, I believe, only within 

 certain limits, and that even in these seclusions, 

 there is no want of tendency to change ; all 

 that is required is the conviction that the 

 change will be beneficial and practicable. The 

 dales people are shrewd people and keenly alive 

 to their own interest. I was glad to hear, it is 

 an instance in point, that the field labourers 

 here are beginning to substitute coffee for beer. 

 Our hostess tells me that they prefer it, find- 

 ing it more refreshing than beer, and not so 

 soon followed by thirst. The change has 

 been made since my last visit ; and, probably, 

 on our next visit, we may find that coffee 

 has given place to tea, as experience proves 

 that the latter, for the refreshment it affords, 

 deserves the preference. This I have had 

 assurance of from a distinguished Arctic ex- 

 plorer and naturalist. As to the absence of 



