precautions are advisable?' (Now it was generally
believed that Mr. Lawrence's father had shortened his days by
intemperance.)

'Some precautions, it may be; but temperance, sir, is one thing, and
abstinence another.'

'But I have heard that, with some persons, temperance--that is,
moderation--is almost impossible; and if abstinence be an evil (which
some have doubted), no one will deny that excess is a greater. Some
parents have entirely prohibited their children from tasting intoxicating
liquors; but a parent's authority cannot last for ever; children are
naturally prone to hanker after forbidden things; and a child, in such a
case, would be likely to have a strong curiosity to taste, and try the
effect of what has been so lauded and enjoyed by others, so strictly
forbidden to himself--which curiosity would generally be gratified on the
first convenient opportunity; and the restraint once broken, serious
consequences might ensue. I don't pretend to be a judge of such matters,
but it seems to me, that this plan of Mrs. Graham's, as you describe it,
Mrs. Markham, extraordinary as it may be, is not without its advantages;
for here you see the child is delivered at once from temptation; he has
no secret curiosity, no hankering desire; he is as well acquainted with
the tempting liquors as he ever wishes to be; and is thoroughly disgusted
with them, without having suffered from their effects.'

'And is that right, sir? Have I not proven to you how wrong it is--how
contrary to Scripture and to reason, to teach a child to look with
contempt and disgust upon the blessings of Providence, instead of to use
them aright?'

'You may consider laudanum a blessing of Providence, sir,' replied Mr.
Lawrence, smiling; 'and yet, you will allow that most of us had better
abstain from it, even in moderation; but,' added he, 'I would not desire
you to follow out my simile too closely--in witness whereof I finish my
glass.'

'And take another, I hope, Mr. Lawrence,' said my mother, pushing the
bottle towards him.

He politely declined, and pushing his chair a little away from the table,
leant back towards me--I was seated a trifle behind, on the sofa beside
Eliza Millward--and carelessly asked me if I knew Mrs. Graham.

'I have met her once or twice,' I replied.

'What do you think of her?'

'I cannot say that I like her much. She is handsome--or rather I should
say distinguished and interesting--in her appearance, but by no m