No. 216.] 437 



When independent in fortune, that person felt independent in mind, 

 and abhorred anything mean — but when reduced to dependence upon 

 another for bread, or even labor, and seeing that the most obsequious 

 obtain the most smiles, then the cravings of want will humble the 

 high spirit, and self-interest will induce that person to submit to the 

 meanness of obsequiousness, although subjecting herself, at the same 

 time, to the most painful feelings and self-reproach. It is evidently 

 very difficult, almost impossible, for persons in general to avoid the 

 influence of physical condition upon mind. Thus it is with those 

 who have sunk from an elevated position, and it will be the same 

 with those who have sunk from an humble position to one still lower. 

 Perhaps the majority of charity seeking persons amongst us, may be 

 of this class; they were never rich, but perhaps were quite above 

 want; now they have sunk in circumstances from some cause, and 

 the associates with whom they mingle are of a lower grade than 

 in former days. This they do not know how to avoid, for these are 

 now their neighbors. To keep on good terms with them, they min- 

 gle in their company, unite in their sentiments, and associate in their 

 vices. 



To some passer-by, it appeais strange that in the block standing 

 south of the Catholic Cathedral, and other places contiguous, there 

 are so many gin-shops; and they ask where are the customers to sup- 

 port these shops? They cannot be in the neighboring houses, for 

 there also customers are wanted — the bottles are exhibited in house 

 after house, and I have known two such shops in one house; — 

 whence came the customers? Now this is a question which the 

 licensing power might have asked before they granted their license 

 to sell, and there would have been nothing ultra in it, however ultra 

 might have been the question, whether or not such sale should be 

 licensed at all But in the multiplicity of cases, it is evident the 

 good fathers of the city forgot to ask the question. Is it possible 

 that a Catholic Cathedral, like a theatre, can be the attractor of a 

 circle of gin-shops? No! no! to suppose that these shops are sus- 

 tained by the worshippCiS at St. Patrick's, when going to, or return- 

 ing from church, would be very unkind, and perhaps very unjust* 

 for I have discovered that these houses contain, to a considerable 

 extent, their own customers. It is unquestionably true, that when 



persons sink into poverty, they do not like to be scowled upon 



they feel it even more than in better days — yet peoplp will scowl 

 upon them; their old friends and acquaintances will avoid them lest 

 they should want something. Landlords will be more particular than 

 ever as to their rent, and when they have got it, not be respectful, 



