THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE 109 



we are at present. But we should not be so 

 intemperate as our ancestors of five hundred years 

 ago would have been had alcohol then been equally- 

 procurable. Similarly, were there a great upheaval 

 of religious enthusiasm we should, doubtless, as 

 did the Puritans, become more sober. But only 

 for a time. To judge of evolution we must watch 

 the sweep of ages, not the fluctuations which occur 

 day by day, or even decade by decade. 



It has also been argued, since more alcohol is 

 consumed per capita by some South European 

 nations, Italians, Spaniards, Frenchmen, Austrians, 

 and South Germans than, for example, by the 

 English, that the former are more drunken than the 

 latter. But in the South of Europe, where there 

 is no temperance propaganda, nor any need of it, 

 and alcohol is very cheap, wine is the ordinary 

 beverage of the people. It is used by every one for 

 the satisfaction of thirst. On the other hand, in 

 England, where alcohol is dear, and there is a 

 vigorous temperance propaganda, vast numbers 

 abstain altogether, others alternate between 

 drunkenness and abstinence, accordingly as their 

 desires or their fears obtain the upper hand. 

 Multitudes more, owing to poverty, cannot obtain 

 as much alcohol as they desire. " Other things," 

 therefore, are not equal, and the argument as a 

 consequence is fallacious. It would be as reason- 



