224 A Walk from 



substitute for malt liquor. Sometimes beer made of 

 nothing but hops, water, and a little molasses, is 

 brought into the field, and makes even an exhiliarating 

 drink, without any alcoholic effect. Cold coffee, diluted 

 with water, and re-sweetened, is a healthful and grate- 

 ful luxury to our farm laborers. 



It would be a blessed thing for all the outdoor and 

 indoor laborers in this country, if the broad chasm 

 between the strong beer of Old England and the small 

 beer of New England could be bridged, and they be 

 carried across to the shore of a better habit. The farm 

 hands here need a good deal of gentle leading and 

 suggestion in this matter. If some humane and in- 

 genious man would get up a new, cheap, cold drink, 

 which should be nutritious, palatable and exhiliarating, 

 without any inebriating property, it would be a boon 

 of immeasurable value. Malt liquors are made in such 

 rivers here, or rather in such lakes with river outlets ; 

 there is such a system for their distribution and circu- 

 lation through every town, village, and hamlet; and 

 they are so temptingly and conveniently kegged, 

 bottled and jugged, and so handy to be carried out 

 into the field, that the habit of drinking them is almost 

 forced upon the poor man's lips. If a cheaper drink, 

 refreshing and strengthening, could be made equally 

 convenient and attractive, it would greatly help to 



