The Drink Question. By Dr. Kate Mitchell. (Swan Sonnenschein and
Co )—Dr. Kate Mitchell is a very earnest and enthusiastic exponent of total abstinence principles, and does her utmost to deal a heavy blow at the use of alcohol. All that she says as to the evil effects of drink is quite true, but she rather overshoots the mark when she persistently views the question from one side only. We hear nothing about the undoubted value of alcohol. After all, we drink alcohol because we like it ; this is a truism which the exponents of total abstinence sometimes forget. Temperance, not total abstinence, should be the aim of reformers. The first appeals to most people; the second, however good it may be, appeals to very few. We are far from discouraging such service as this in the cause of temperance, but the use of alcohol is not to be shaken by all the diatribes of violent reformers.
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