" DOWN GLASSES."
(To TER EDITOR 01 rue " SPECTATOR.") SIR,-I_ used to think that your "D. G." crusade must fail because the middle-aged, self-indulgent men who form the bulk of the House of Commons had not the moral courage to pass a Bill which would be for them an act of self-denial, which would lock up their own cellars. But I have come to the conclusion that the everlasting blundering over alcohol is due mainly to the fact that no one of our rulers is able to visualize a million. Had they but this power to visualize they could not have covered them- selves with derision as they have done in their latest appeal for limitation of appetite. We are to be allowed " only " ten million barrels of beer, as against thirty-six million. The reduction seems substantial until (1) we find this is over and above the provision for sailors and soldiers-it is for civilians only; and (2) we begin to think, " how much is ten million barrels? " Will it be believed, Sir, that ten million barrels means (graphically) that the barrels would be more than enough to stand Rye deep on every letter in the English Bible? Five barrels on every letter! This is proposed as-the nation's sacrifice! In this "National Lent" the civilian population alone is to be allowed nearly thirty thousand barrels of beer every weekday. "Sacrifice" -"Lent "-" curb appetite "? The imposture and the force of words never had so deadly an illustration. The Government, in spite of "reconstruction" and many brave words, is no better
than a craven band, whistling to keep up their courage as they sneak through the churchyard.—I am, Sir, &c.,
A MODERATE DRINKER WHO " D.G.'D " THE DAY ON WHICH WAR WAS DECLARED.
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