ieve
it to be on the decrease." One reason, doubtless, why it is so
pernicious, is the constant habit of drinking before breakfast. That he
was correct in his per-centage, I do not pretend to say; but I certainly
have seen enough of the practice to feel sure it must have a most
pernicious effect on very many. To what extent it is carried on by the
lowest classes I had no opportunity of judging.

The following observations, however, made by so high an authority as Mr.
Everett, must be admitted as a convincing proof that education has not
been able to cope effectually with drunkenness. Speaking of ardent
spirits, he says:--

"What has it done in ten years in the States of America? First, it has
cost the nation a direct expense of 120,000,000l. Secondly, it has
cost the nation an indirect expense of 120,000,000l. Thirdly, it has
destroyed 300,000 lives. Fourthly, it has sent 100,000 children to the
poor-house. Fifthly, it has consigned at least 150,000 persons to
jails and penitentiaries. Sixthly, it has made at least a thousand
maniacs. Seventhly, it has instigated to the commission of at least
fifteen hundred murders. Eighthly, it has caused 2000 persons to
commit suicide. Ninthly, it has burnt or otherwise destroyed property
to the amount of 2,000,000l. Tenthly, it has made 200,000 widows,
and 1,000,000 of orphan children."

When I turn from the contemplation of this sad picture, and think how
many fall victims to the same vice in my own country, I cannot help
feeling that the "myriad-minded poet" wrote the following lines as an
especial warning and legacy to the Anglo-Saxon and the Celt:--

"Oh, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their
brains! that we should, with joy, pleasance, revel, and applause,
transform ourselves into beasts!"

I was very sorry time did not admit of my witnessing one of the new
president's levees, as I much wished to see the olla podrida of
attendants. It must be a quaint scene; the hack-cabman who drives you to
the door will get a boy to look after his shay, and go in with you;
tag-rag and bob-tail, and all their family, go in precisely as they
like; neither soap nor brush is a necessary prelude. By late accounts
from America, it appears that at Mr. Pierce's last levee a gentleman
charged another with picking his pocket: the latter went next day with a
friend to explain the mistake, which the former refusing to accept, he
was struck by t