himself with saying something about two--the temperance cant and the
unmanly cant. Temperance canters say that 'it is unlawful to drink a
glass of ale.' Unmanly canters say that 'it is unlawful to use one's
fists.' The writer begs leave to tell both these species of canters that
they do not speak the words of truth.

It is very lawful to take a cup of ale, or wine, for the purpose of
cheering or invigorating yourself when you are faint and down-hearted;
and likewise to give a cup of ale or wine to others when they are in a
similar condition. The Holy Scripture sayeth nothing to the contrary,
but rather encourageth people in so doing by the text, 'Wine maketh glad
the heart of man.' But it is not lawful to intoxicate yourself with
frequent cups of ale or wine, nor to make others intoxicated, nor does
the Holy Scripture say that it is. The Holy Scripture no more says that
it is lawful to intoxicate yourself or others, than it says that it is
unlawful to take a cup of ale or wine yourself, or to give one to others.
Noah is not commended in the Scripture for making himself drunken on the
wine he brewed. Nor is it said that the Saviour, when He supplied the
guests with first-rate wine at the marriage feast, told them to make
themselves drunk upon it. He is said to have supplied them with
first-rate wine, but He doubtless left the quantity which each should
drink to each party's reason and discretion. When you set a good dinner
before your guests, you do not expect that they should gorge themselves
with the victuals you set before them. Wine may be abused, and so may a
leg of mutton.

Second. It is lawful for anyone to use his fists in his own defence, or
in the defence of others, provided they can't help themselves; but it is
not lawful to use them for purposes of tyranny or brutality. If you are
attacked by a ruffian, as the elderly individual in 'Lavengro' is in the
inn-yard, it is quite lawful, if you can, to give him as good a thrashing
as the elderly individual gave the brutal coachman; and if you see a
helpless woman--perhaps your own sister--set upon by a drunken lord, a
drunken coachman, or a drunken coalheaver, or a brute of any description,
either drunk or sober, it is not only lawful, but laudable, to give them,
if you can, a good drubbing; but it is not lawful, because you have a
strong pair of fists, and know how to use them, to go swaggering through
a fair, jostling against unoffending individuals