Tits .Evils of Alcohol. By Dr. W. A. Chapple, M.P.
(George G. Harrap. and Co. is. 6d. net.)—Dr. Chapple gives us in his book an argument and a collection of examples. These last are very impressive, not the less because we can all call up something like them from our own experience of life. They forbid us to condemn. the men who denounce the use of alcohol, even if they do not persuade us to join their company. The argument, apart from the examples, does not seem so effective. Dr. Chapple points out the special cells of the brain affected by alcohol, and draws a sombre picture of the ravage wrought on them by excess. We shall not criticise, though we would remark that the moderate drinker who stands firna in hie moderation is the rule rather than the exception. But there is a. passage in Dr. Chapple's invective which .calls for some comment, because it brings up a difficulty which our author and his friends have to face. We have pictured for us a council of fiends who deliberate how they may most effectually check the upward evolution of Man, and ,come to the conclusion that alcohol is the most effective instrument they can use. Now Dr. Chapple knows very well that aleohel is potentially present throughout a very large part of the domein of nature. Wherever, for instance, there is auger, there is, at a small 113M4.1Ne alcohol. By what ordering, then, has this been brought to pass?
Apparently, if we are to credit the account given above, by the powers of evil. Surely this is dangerously near the Manicluean doctrine that matter is the work of the Evil Spirit. If Dr. Chapple had lived three centuries ago he would have been in danger of being expelled from the Parliament which he adorns.
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