[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR, —You will doubtless receive
very many letters with suggestions on temperance reform following the interesting article by " Pruden Futuri." There is no reason why various ways of reducing the evil effects of alcohol should not be carried out while waiting for more effective legislation.
The Hon. F. A. Rollo Russell, who Was deeply interested in the subject, believed that one of the first needs was the provision of alternatives to the ordinary public house, such as exist in Zurich. With this aim in view, he bought a small public house which was situated quite close to a large one, gave up the licence (another was at once granted to a neighbouring village !) and turned the place into a temperance inn.
It answered its purpose, and paid its way, and I should be glad to give particulars to anyone interested. The only other similar place (on a larger scale) that I know of here is ' The Blue Bird ' at Banbury, but I hope there are more.
In Ziirich it was that remarkable woman Frau Prof. Orelli who started the movement many years ago. She is still living, and is keen to help by her experience and advice those who want to do similar work—namely, that of providing good eating and drinking places for working-people. A great variety of food is supplied at popular prices, and there is also a large choice of non-alcoholic drinks—not just the nasty, gassy lemonade and ginger-beer usually supplied here.-1 am,
[We are asking Mrs. Russell to tell us more of the Ziirich experiment.—ED. Spectator.]
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