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CHAPTER XX
SWORN OFF !
Introduction of temperance into England—America struck it
first-—Doctor Johnson an abstainer—Collapse of the Per
missive Bill—Human nature and forbidden fruit—Effects of
repressive legislation—Sunday closingin Wales—Paraffin for
miners—Toasting Her Majesty—Agood win—A shout and
a drink — Jesuitical logic of the prohibitioners —The end
justifies the means—A few non-alcoholic recipes—Abstainers
and alcohol— Pure spring-water -v. milk-punch—" Tried
baith ! "
The first temperance society in England was
formed at Bradford, Yorkshire, on the 2nd
February 1830, the chief mover having been
Mr. Henry Forbes, who had signed the pledge
at Glasgow. But the use of ardent spirits was
condemned by many medical practitioners early
in the seventeenth century, although the United
Kingdom does not seem to have abstained from
strong waters any the more. Repressive legisla
tion, in order to inculcate sobriety, was tried in
Massachusetts, U.S., early in the present century,
but a few years before a society had been formed
at Moreau, New York State, in order to prohibit
the consumption of both wines and spirits, except