(To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.") SIR, —The passage from the
letter sent by "J. C. F.," and con- tained in your issue of January 6th, regarding the drinking customs in Glasgow is most misleading, and I would have thought that before publishing such an indictment against the second city of the Empire you would have made some inquiry into the veracity of the statement. Of course it must be admitted that there is too much drinking in Glasgow, just as there is too much drinking in every other industrial centre in the country, but exaggeration of the conditions will not help to remedy the evil. The passage in question is undoubtedly a gross exaggeration. The truth is that there are two old-established wine-merchant shops in one of the leading thoroughfares, both of which have a. high reputation for honest dealing, and where a large family trade is usually carried on. During the week preceding Christmas and the week preceding the New Year these shops were unable to cope with their usual trade on account of the greatly restricted hours during which liquor can be supplied for consumption off the premises. In consequence of this, queues were formed outside the respective shops waiting their turn to be served. This by no means represents excessive drinking, but is accounted for by people keeping up the old custom of having a bottle of wine or spirits in their homes at the festive season for the use of friends. The other statement made by your contributor to the effect that on Saturday night about 9 o'clock the streets of Glasgow are nearly impassable with men and women all the worse for drink can only be characterized as a perversion of the truth. I am a constant reader of the Spectator and a Prohibitionist out and out, and I take this opportunity of recording my cordial thanks for „all you are doing to advance the cause.—I am, Sir, &c., WILLIAM Went, Sanitary Inspector.
Sanitary Inspector's Office, Rutherglen.
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