ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

' Pio.vkee. ' - Bessbrook in Ireland has lo*— been cited a conspicuous example o:-~ beueticient effects which flow from tho . sence of facilities for the public sale ot intoxicating drinks. Tue priucipal land owner of the village first enforced prohib ition ; subsequently, iv July last;, an eliort . was mudrt for a licensed public house by vote by ballot, when tho returns showed 317, against and 52 in favour of it. so that Bessbrook is still without a public house, f Sarah M ' (Parnell.) The late Mr Baird, iron master, of Cainbus Doon, has left behind him £3,000,000 sterling. 'B. C. ( Ofcahuhu.') — Your poem to the " ' morning star' is not without merit and shall appear at the earliest op portunities. 'Ajax. '—Tho famous Lonon tavern where Brobam, Cobdoti, Bright, Kosseth, mill, and other eminent orators have spoken, was recently sold to the directors of the Boyal Bank of Scotland for £ SO.OOO. ' Antiquarian. ' —We do not know tho nam'.- of the author of the following epitaph which lirs,t appeared in the churchyard of Harper-town, in the velley of the Tyne, Nonhumberlaud : Our lite is bui a Avintcrs day, Some only breakfast and away ; Others to dinner stay, aud are full fed ; Tho oldest man but sups and goes to bed. Long is his debt who lingers out tho day ; Who goes the soonest ha 3 the least to pay.

LEISURE IN LOVE

Sooi.h ' tvvere a pleasant life to lead, With uo hing in the world to do, But just to blow a shepherd's reed The silent season through, " And just to drive a flock to feed—- Sheep, quiet, fond, and few ! Pleasant to breathe beside a brook, And count the bubbles—love-worlds— there ; To muse upon some minstrel's book, Or watch the haunted air ; To slumber iv some leafy nook Or idle anywhere. And then a draught of nature's wine, A meal of summer's daintiest fruit ; To take the air with forms divine ; Clouds, silvery, cool, and mute ; Descending, if the night he fine, In a star-parachute. Give me to live with love alone, And let the world go dine and dress : For love hath lowly haunts—a stone Holds something meant to bless. If life's a flower, 1 choose my own— 'Tis ' Love in Idleness !' LaMAM Blanciiab.o.

ONE YEAR AGO.

Last year under the chesnut trees,

Under the chesuuts white, Two of us walked, two of us talked, Would it were so to-night !

Two were the voices, tremulous, sweet, Tavo wcro tho heads, bent low ; Two were the hands, together clasped, One, white as the flower-snow.

One year ! But a yo»r, Avhon all in told. Twelve months and ,1 day ! no more — Yeo my footsteps Hag, aud my youth seems old, And my soared life feels fourscore. Two were the hoarts that tot'othur boat, Two were the hearts, yet one ; Two were tho figures that, interlaced, Strolled, 'neath those troea, in the snn. Those trees, those leaf-laden, bloom strewed trees, That glorious sun of June ! Now they strike the golden chords of my soul, Sound sweet on it, love's own tune. Ah leaves ! ye fall and grow green agai n Nor mourn for the spring-time fled; Ab, tres ! ye bloom in another Juno, But the life of my life is—dead 1

"British Workman" Public Houses.

REV. R. S. HASSARD'S LECTURE.

[In compliance with the wish of a number of readers, we are enabled through the kind • ness of Rev. R. S. Hassard, who has placed the :M. s. s. of his excellent lecture at our disposal, to present it verbatim to our readers as a condensed history of a movement which is Avinning its Avay among the Avorking classes of the old land ; the lecture will be acceptable, j

MEANS ;OF CHECKING INTKMIMiRANCE. In the previous lectures in connection with your society,-you have had brought lie fore you, two of the chief means by which it is believed that the tide of intemperance may be checked in its headlong course. In the first place, you have considered Avhat may be done by repression—by legislation. In the second place, you have noticed the undoubtedly powerful force of example. ,To-night, I am permitted to speak to you upon a force which I believe to be of certainly equal power with cither of these— the force of Counter Attraction. I do not Avish lo draw invidious comparisons between these various forces; I would rather consider them as brothers and sisters of one family. ' Repression' and ' Example' represent the sterner and more masculine elements, Avhile ' Counter-attraction' shines more with, feminine grace, often winning more victories .by her love, than her brothers by their arguments and fears. But even suppos ing that ' Repression' had Avon his victory, tlie abolition of a large number of public houses —and supposing that 'Example' had enlisted thousands and tens of thousands under his banner of self-denial —even then the force of Attraction Avotild be equally necessary as now. If you stop the channel of a river, you need to* have a. new one ready to receive its Avaters. In like manner, if you prevent any natural and legitimate instinct of human nature from find ing an outlet in one direction, you ought to provide some other outlet —a newer and a better. Now, with all the -evils that are justly chargeable against Public Houses, it should be remembered that they are a very great out-let for one strong and ligitimate instinct of man kind—the love of society.

Alan is a social animal, and his social instincts are among the noblest features of his character. Tl" is the business of every philanthropist to encourage them ; and surely places ought to be provided where a man is not expected (not to say compelled) to put a mug to his lips, as an appropriate part of the proceedings. The late Dr. Norman Maclcod, was one of those large-hearted and large-minded men who saw plainly the necessity of counter-attraction, and in his life lately published, Aye find these Avords, a kind of defence of the many good Avorks, which he had inaugurated for the social and mor improvements of his parish :— ' The defect of most systems for benefiting manhas arisen not so much from the presence of a bad element, as the absence of a good— from a minus not a plus— from forgetting that man is an intellectual, social, moral, active, and sentient being, and that his Avell-being is advanced just in proportion as all these diff erent parts of his nature are gratified. Better drainage, ventilation, poor-laws, deal Avith his sentient part, andso fargood. Reading-rooms, Lectures, Mechanic's Institutes, deal with his intellectual, and are good too. Amusements, coffee houses, and some of the above, deal with his social, and arc likewise good . The axion 'give the people something to do ' deals with his active powers, the Gospel, and all the means of grace with his moral nature ; and as this is the mainspring of all he thinks or dees, it is the most important of all. but it alone, as a system of truth separated from a system of action which includes all reform, will not do. To preach a sermon, and refuse meat to starving hearers is mockery and so St. James says, To this 1 add he says the necessity of a living, wise, and Christian agency coming constantly into contact with, men." These manly ami sensible Avords give at once a brief outline of the work of which f have to speak to you to-night, and also show the ground upon which a Christain minister considers it his duty not only to study the moral, but also the social welfare of God's people. 'BRITISH WORKMAN' PUBLIC HOUSES. The special department of ' Counter-attrac tion' upon which f am to speak, is the ' British Workman Public House. Now, there are in England many institutionsofa similar character, there are ' Working Men's Clubs,' ' Working Men's Homes,' and so on ; The name how ever of ' British Workman Public Houses' was first adopted by an institution- in Leeds ; and I purpose in the first part of my lecture speaking only of that institution, and of the large number of ' Houses' wliich more or less acknowledge that first one as their mother, which have adopted its rules, which recognize its principles, and which bear its name. THEIR HISTORY. The first of these Public Houses, bearing the name of the ' British Workman,' was (as f have already said) established in the large manufacturing town of Leeds, in Yorkshire. The idea originated with a Mr anil Mrs Hind Smith, of that town. While moving among the inhabitants of the West-end of the town, (a part very different from what is called the West-end of London !) they had found that the want of home free place of resort, at wliich working men and youths might spend their leisure hours, was recognized and felt on every hand. The subject was carefully considered, and al Ion K tli llioy n.-solved If. <: ,(a'blMi a place to which arlizans might resort as frequently or as {Infrequently as they chose - a place where they might be able without any undue restraint to indulge in social chat, a game at draughts, enjoy a quiet hour's reading of some book, magazine or newspaper. The first thing tw be done was, of course, to endeavour to meet with luitablc premises. This proved to be no easy ask ; but at last it was ascertained thai two dwelling houses at the bottom of Fountain street, had been merged into one, and fitted out f( _ the purposes of a beer-shop. This was just the sort of place required, and the premises were therefore secured for the purpose in ques tion. The accomodation for men consisted of two rooms containing a goodly number of seats and ample table accomodation. On the tables were laid copies of the London and provincial press in abundance, also a number of magazines. There Avas no charge for the privilege ofuseing the rooms, but any working-man might enter the rooms and read the papers, or play at chess or draughts, without being required to spend a single penny. Any visitor who desired it, might procure a half-pint cup of lea for one penny ; and for the same sum a plate of bread and butter, fn another part of the premises Avere two rooms for youths, with a separate entrance. A resident manager Avas found, a person who was known in every part of the borough by the cognomen of ' Sam the News man,' and who devotes himself to the work with energy and zeal. Outside the building, the most striking object was a large sign, whereon was inscribed in large letters ' The British Workman, Sam the Newsman, Resident Manager,' and in smaller characters the following lines:—

A Public-house without the drink, Where men can sit, talk, read, and think, Then safely home return ; A steppuig-stone this house you'll find, Consent to leave your beer behind, And truer pleasures learn. This first ' British Workman' was opened in 1567. It is most interesting to trace the rapid GROWTH: OF THE MOVEMENT.

; From the report published in 1871, we learn that at the preceding annual meeting, the num ber of ' British Workmen' had increased to eight in the town of Leeds alone. In 1871 the number already reached fifteen, and No. 16 Avas being prepared. Put by this time the movement had not only leavened Leeds, but Avas rapidly spreading throughout the great cities of the land. ' British Workmen' had been established in the following places : in Ifuddersfteld, two ; 1 lull, two ; Cardiff two • and one, at least, in Wakefield, Woodl'esford' Morlcy, Pudsey, Cleckheaton, Otley, Selby' Goole, Bentham, Barnard Castle, Beverley' Bishop Auckland, Saltburn, Scarborough,' Chester-le-street, Lancaster, Rochdale, Liver pool, Southport, St. Helen's Wrexham, Rugely, Bristol, Croyden, St Leonards, Harold] and Leicester. In this same year the editor of the Leeds Mercury, after describing a 'British Workman,' thus spoke of them in a leadinc article:— ■ fa

" That which the many laudable efforts of excellent men among us had failed to ac complish, was done by an unpretending house, so recently the scene of drunkenness and vice. It ' drew' the classes for which it was intended. The doors were open to all; the penniless sot]

turned out of every other place of resort, Avas welcomed in here ; not by a committee of gentleman, but by a friendly landlord, and by men of his own class. The homeless work man found here a place Avhere he conld spend his evenings much as he would, have have spent them in the beer-shop, setting aside the drink, and the low profanity prevailing there. Some of the most notorious drunkards in Leeds have been reclaimed ; hundreds of homes have been rescued from misery and degrada tion, and each fresh ' British Workman' has become a centre of new light, .shedding its blessed rays where a few years ago all was darkness and sin." After this very brief history of the rise and progress of the first ' British Workman' and its many offshoots, let us turn to their ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS,' as laid down by their first promoters, and, I believe, since strictly adhered to : — 1. No intoxicating liquors shall be sold here, nor shall any be brought upon the premises on any pretext. 2. Smoking shall be confined to a separate room. 3. Tea, coffee, and other refreshments, shall be provided. 4. Admission shall be perfectly free on good behaviour. 5. Facilities shall'be afforded for social in tercourse, and for mental, moral, and religious improvement. The improvement classes and religious services shall be held elsewhere than in the general room, so that attendance on them may be strictly voluntary. 6. The Houses shall be open on Aveek-days from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and on Sundays from 1230 to 10 p.m.—&c. These are the chief characteristics as given by Mr. and Mrs. Hind Smith, and I think we I may summarize them by saying that " the ob j jeet of these institutions is (using the terms of Dr. Macleod) to provide for the intellectual, the moral, and the social being" of the ' British Workman.' A few words as to the way in which these various parts of man have been administered to. Let me give you an illustration or two of how the social and sentient being has been attended to. The following is from an account of a c British Workman' lately opened at Oldham, from the pen of a stranger : 'It was formerly a 'public,' but I could scarcely recognize the place, so completely Avas it metamorphosed without and within. New windows had been made to let in light and air ; the dingy cellar had been so enlightened, and so adorned with paint, varnish, and mirrors, that it was 'lit for a king;' the old 'bar,' opposite the door, had been removed, and a handsome entrance hall and staircase takes its place. To the left is a marble counter, dis playing cakes, sandwiches, &c, with all kinds of drinks tastefully served ; and behind is an elegantly fitted-up refreshment-room, replete Avith settees and marble-topped tables. Up stairs is a large and beautifully painted reading room, where refreshments are also served during the day, and where at night, Clubs or committees can meet. The glass swing-door was never still all the while I stayed, people were passing in and out continually, and a lively business was ' kept going.' No expense luul boon »pnrcd in making the Avails gay as well as useful. There were mirrors 'all round and everywhere,' and the available spaces were occupied with framed gold and green tablets of what could be bought: 'Soda water,' ' Lemonade,' Aerated water,' ' Bread and But ter,' 'Runnymcde Coffee,' Roasted Potatoes,' ' Cocoa' itc, while the glass doors on entering were embossed with ' Refreshment-bar,' 'Chess Draught and Club-rooms,' 'Coffee, Tea, and Smoking-rooms, Lavatories.' 'Last Saturday evening' (said the manager) we were obliged to close the doors, we had such a cram. We counted 157 present, besides waiters, and we must have had 1500 during the day.' J have before me also a leaflet, distributed by the ' British Workman' at Wandsworth, also in connection with the Leeds institution ,

BRITISH WOKMAN PUBLIC HOUSI ;;'>, litem Stkkf.t, Wandswokth,

You are invited to come and try this House for your selves, where you will find clean and good accommoda tion, and rooms well warmed and lighted. The Coffee Room is open to anybody without charge and refreshments are provided at reasonable prices' lea and Coffee always ready, from 5 in the morning till 10 at night. a

Early Breakfasts for persons going to market or to work. Dinner quickly served, beginning at 12 o'clock Hot soups, roast joints, Irish stews, meat and sausage puddings, cold meat, ham, eggs, pickles, bread cheese and vegetables. Jam, fruit and other puddings, cake' hot buttered toast, &c, <fx. A clean plate, knife and fork, glass of water, and cooking own chop or steak, for One fenny. Ginger-beer, lemonade, and cordials.

A payment ot Is (3d per quarter for a ticket, or one penny.per day, entitle subscribers to the use of the following, viz .'--Keadmgand Smoking Rooms upstairs provided with games of chess, draughts, dominoes,' bagatelle, ccc Library, containing more than goo volumes. Newspapers including the "Times" Kngmeer " Guilder" " Illustrated News "& c liowhngGreen and Quoit Ground. It is also Pkoposkd to Establish Denkcit and other Cm: as.

COME AND TRY, AND JUDGE FOR YOURSELVES.

kcxt, we may notice how the intellectual being has been attended to. Here are two programes—one, of the subjects of discussion at British Workman No 8, at Leeds, and the ™>- a, c°m'se of lectures at the Edinburgh British Workman." to NO. 8 "B W." DISCUSSION CLASS, Litti.k London, Leeds , ''in' i7-'~i',' "ac; Gllnl'°wdcr been a blessing or - curse to mankind i Jan 2I " The Telescope: its invention and uses. Jan,:-:, "Should ' School Boards' be tin versa ly adopted?;' Feb. 4, "Survey of the Human Kaces l<eb 11, Health." Feb iS, " Novels " Feb f s ,' A America and its people " March 4, "The Span ish Armada. March 11, "Republicanism." March 18 An Essay March 83. " Political and Intellectual Power. April r, " Public Address."

EDINBURGH "BRITISH WORKMAN." ( Course of Lectures to be delivered in the Hall of the irilish Workman" Public-house (without the drink) l.lacktnars Street, on Tuesday evenings, at Eio-ht o clock p. m.'- 9 th December, "Spanish Armada"" • 16th December, Mary Queen of Scotts • " 2 -rd December, " Recollections of Rome ; " 30th December I Old Edinburgh;" 6th January, "Progress"- i-th. January, "Co-operation and Temperance considered in relation to the Social well-being of the People" • 20th January, ' ./'he Anatomy and Organs of Plants " Illustrated by Diagrams and Specimens: 27th lan nary Right at Last, or Dick Burnett's Turning tTvl a" g)" a lal T e ' ,t0 be read by the Author" ?r° F^ b,™ ar > rV ; Jur JudS'"ent of others"; lO fh I-eb: Ihe Manufacture of Lucifer Matches " • I7 tl back» a- ry'-_,h vT °f a«\°W? t0 J*™«ca a„ back 24th February, " A night with Dr. Irvine and the Scottish Poets."-Collection at the door to defray expenses. Rooms open daily for Reading and Games, from Nine a. m. to Ten p m All Working Men are invited. Free of Charge

I would now make some remarks as to the expense of these Public houses.' Of course the cost of furniture and the working expenses are various, in accordance Avith the funds which were attainable. In some cases the donations and subscriptions have been large ; in other j cases they have been very small, and the insti- I tution has necessarily been Avorked Avith the most rigid economy. The following Avas the cost of furniture, &c, for the first ' B. W.' and the amount of the first years' expenditure— the whole of which was met by outside dona tions :— British Workman Furnishing Account, Paid : 1867. Valuation of Beer-shop and House - £,ij 12 2 Painting 3 16 o.V Papering 1 18 o" Chairs ------ 220 Ironmonger's Bill - - - - 7 9 5 Sign Board ----- 300 Joiner's Bill - - - - -13 15 Plumber's Bill - - - - 1 19 3 Smaller Bills - - - - - 42 10 &S 1 li

" British Wokman " First Year's Current Account, To September, 1868, Paid. 186 S. Rent to Sep., £ 2 g I 0 0 B-ates 7 10 3 Coals 813 oi §' xs. ," 318 10 Periodicals --... 114 Chimmney Sweeping, &c, &c, - 125

1 he following is an even more satisfactory balance sheet, for the institution is in a solvent condition, independant of outside subscriptions. "We are much gratified in examining the balance sheet of Cheadle Heath for the lirst year. The current expenses have been as follows :-— Rent and attendance - £^ 0 6 Coals ------ 3,8 4 Papers, &c 10 6 2 4- Gas --...- 3J7 -- T £j6 11 3J Income : Ordinary Weekly Subscriptions - ,£22 10 5 In 5s Snbcriptions - - - -3150 Smaller amounts - - - 670 Sale of Papers, &c - - - . 4 y 7

I I hits leaving the balance on the right side, without reckoning larger honorary subscriptions. I I have now set before you a brief history and the chief characteristics of those houses wliich trace their origin to the mo\-ements set on foot by Mr and Mrs Hind Smith. I purpose now going with you to visit two ' Public Houses without drink,' one of which, I believe owes its origin to the Leeds ' British Work man' and the other docs not. As a preface to this part of my lecture, it Avould be appropriate to mention, that though the ' British Workman' at Leeds seems to have |been the first institution of the kind bearino that name, yet the ' Public Houses Avithout the drink' had been established in several places before that time. Upwards of twenty years ago Lord Sydney Godolphin Osborne advo cated theimmediatcestablishmentof temperance public houses in eA'ery town and A'illage that could support them. In how many instances his advice was carried into practice, I am un able to state, more than one Avas certainly established very soon afterwards. The ReA'. Stenton Eardly, of Streatham, writes thus -'We have had in full operation for more than four teen years a 'public house without the drink.' Pherein is a large common room Avhere smokers may congregate ; other rooms for non-smokers ; fifteen or sixteen beds for working men ; and a keeper, a plain shrewd temperance man, avlio knows how to combine getting his living, and a useful influence over his customers. ° Any winter's night, from twenty to forty youn<r men may be seen there, who in other times were to a man in the beer-shop." It is not to a very old one that I will first ask you to accompany me, but to Dr Barnardo's

EDINBURGH CASTLF

Much as I had read and heard in its praise there was not a shade of disappointment when] after long anticipation, I found myself actually there, liven the sight of the exterior would have repaid the trouble of an expedition to the east end of London. The idea is carried out with such completeness, turning all the ordinary attractions of a gin-palace to a good account,— adopting all the bright colouring and manifold inscriptions of the front,—only substituting the better words which indicate the better provision within. At the top of all, along the entire length of the circular front, is the enormous 'Coffee Palace,' in letters to ,be read from any distance. Then came two rows of windows, five in each row, every window gay with texts in blue, Avhich I noticed were transparencies so as to be ready for the night. Then under neath is the unmistakeable public-house ranee of glittering glass, broken only by the enticino movmg doors ; and here every available space is fitted _up with highly painted letterino announemg the character and attractions of the place :_ ' British Workman,' ' Coffee Palace ' Working Me.i S Club,' 'To-day's papers' Friendship, 'Sobriety,' 'Happiness,' 'Rich Cocoa,' 'Hot Coffee' ' Strong Tea,' 'AheartJ welcome. The Welcome' is repeated on each ot the three lamps over the doors. Everythino is so attractive, one is impelled to turn in. Inside again, is all the glitter of glass ; such beautiful, clear well kept glass-a regular, tirst-class bar. The rows of plates and cups on the orderly shelves, the polished cooking stove, the bright tea and coffee tins, everything got ready in full sight; and so nicely got ready

i Refreshments may be had at cheap rates. —Sabbath : j Bible-classes for Young Men at 6-50 p. m. ; Young Women at 4-15 p. m. All are affectionately invited to j these Classes. Social Meeting . Thursday Evening, at Eight o'clock Admission, id. Saturday Evening, at eight o'clock, Admission, Males 2d., Females id. That the moral being has been attended to, in some instances especially well, Aye may gather from the fact that in most, if not all these ' Houses,' Bible classes and regular meetings are conducted during the week, and services on the Sundays ; and also that these services are well attended. The ' British Workman' Report says : — "It has been found that many men Avhose past lives had not fitted them for enterning into the necessary formal method of religious worship (practised by those whose early training was within its influence), and Avho therefore at tended neither Church nor Chapel, were none the less susceptible to deep and serious im pressions ; and the opportunity afforded by these Houses for religious meetings, adapted to the habits of the frequenters, has been found to be a great source of moral elevation and profit. It is an undoubted and most en couraging fact that by means of these religious meetings, the lives of many men have been purer and cleaner, their homes more comfort able, their wives and children happier; and the testimony.of many of them is that they ' never knew Avhat living Avas before.' "

that it almost gives one an appetite to All'the centre ground-floor is the refrpjl room. In the Avings are the readirf ,' and smoke-room, and upstairs are coj^ and class-rooms used for all kinds of O The large hall, formely used for the l concert purposes, now for Church andt^ ance meetings, stands apart, with its M vestries &c, behind. It is a beautifull j holding 1600, and is fairly filled every 11 j often croAvded. On Sundays it is open,]?? I It Avas Avonderful to hear of a 'Bib® I filling that large room one Aveek M& nearly everything I heard Avas wonderfti landlady and her husband do the cookb the management between them, witJa • helpers. I was hungry by the time ffi and heard so much, and ordered mSfJ which proved to be the most charrr!? meal I can imagine. The way in which! served up was tempting. Not only the M ness of the tray, the spoons, the JrifS earthenware, but the very look of 11 less butter and the little loaf of bread. r sight Avas nearly Avorth the sd, Avhich il , I was charged for a fresh egg, a cup of £ 1 cocoa, with cream, sugar, bread and W help myself to ad libitum. And so S ' Edinburgh Castle,' thanking God that 11 put it into Dr. Barnardo's heart to __p place for his glory, and that He had S wisdom and understanding' to planTaad if co-workers to carry out the design wi_l Avondrous success. I should very much like to have taken I wnh me to the ' City of London _CJ now converted into a ' British Working the ' Shakespere,' at Durham; to the W at Sheffield; to the 'Home for Rest,ll Isle of Wight; and to the Bristol <Stal for the supply of Cocoa, Avhere the lH sale is not less than 5,000 quarts per w 2 but as time is limited, I will only take y<S Liverpool there to visit what I hope we I see some day in Auckland, a first rate 'Sail? Home The account is taken from a 2 monthly magazine-I think ' Cassell's.' 1 article is headed 'Jack Ashore' :— | "Jack, with his pay in his pockety gaiety in his heart, not knowing Avhere® and not much caring what turns up next! an easy prey to the seemingly jovial scou* who first proposes to take him in. A fa, yerars ago he had hardly any choice but #1 to a lodging house—which Avas a veil spider s parlour—but now-a-days the comfo able Homes m many seaport towns ail gradually altering the state of the case. M my good fortune the other day to visit ft 'Sailor's Home,' at Liverpool. I pase J through the door and stood in a large M hall, queer in shape, broad at one end _J tapered towards the other, like the bow-sec tion of a ship which struck me as a curiol coincidence, for it is is impossible to suswd grave Liverpool of punning in stone, andk mating by the form of the building that all it arrangements Avere ship-shape. Round thehal ran tiers of galleries, into Avhich the cabii doors opened. The ground floor was wellf plied with benches, strong chairs, and tabk calculated to stand a good deal of rough naa there was a roaring fire, and a bagatelle table, newspapers, and a back-gammon board, w& scattered about. The men Avho Avere playk or reading, or laughing and chatting, or smot mg contemplative pipes, looked as much _ their ease as if they had been in the bar-ioon of a public house. Meals were taken in a large and handsome dining-room, where breakfast is served at 8, dinner at 12, tea at/6 supper at 9.30. The street-door is locked at n. 30, p,m., and a too jolly tar cannot, unless he has a pass, be admitted till 6 a.m. thefol lowing morning, _ Daily prayers and Sunday services are held in another room, and attendance is optional Concerts, lectures, &c, are constantly given during the Avinter months. Medical attendance, reading room, library, and saving's bank, aie also provided—and all these advantages are to be obtained for a payment of 16s. a Aveek for seamen and 12s. for apprentices. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and the true test of an institution is in the use made of it In the course of 1874, the number of boarders amounted to 9,872 seamen, and 479 ap-' prentices, making a total of, 10,351. The ' Plome' has not been found sufficient for Liver pool, and a second is being formed at the north end of the town. I trust that I have not wandered very far from my subject : my aim has been to show the force of counter-attraction in the greut work of stemming intemperance. I have just given a sketch of the rise and prepress of those ' public houses Avithout drink,' which are known as the ' British Work man,' and then I have taken you on a visit to two kindred institutions. In conclusion, I have one remark to make, Where it is possible, I believe that it is better that the religious wants of man should be met 111 an ever-open Church and his social Avantsin/ the institute, the Reading-room, the 'British: Workman.' This was the scheme Avfiicft Norman MacLeod so vigorously earned outin. his parish. But there are such numbers Avho are altogether unconscious of the happiness of Church privileges, Avhose early training and degraded life has led ever further attd further away. Such persons can best, I believe, be recovered' in some institution like the 'Edinburgh Castk- They begin by inhealing comfort, they go onto cleanliness, and at last their heart expands to, the love and the worship of God. Can we not as citizens of Auckland frame and carry out, somp^ scheme of counter-attraction as the ' British Workman' Aye know how the ' Public house' attracts its visitors—by brightness, and ; gilding, and 'welcome'—why should A\ rEnot ; establishs a home of Avhich it might be said, as, it had been said of a public house AVITH dirnfc I stand within a wide and lofty room. Whose roof is fretted o'er with rare device, Rich with the painter's and the gilder's art; The walls are co,vcr'd with full many a scene Of love, romance, and war, on land and sea ; Mirrors of price reflect the gazer's form, And pillars bright, and burnished chandeliers, V- And moon-like lights shed brilliance over all. The place must be some temple of delight! That social reformer attempts a blessed and useful task who opens houses, Avell-lighted, warm, clean, and comfortable, for the recep tion of those who like to come ; houses in which, at the same time, no opportunity is given the Avorking classes of cultivating tastes Avhich. bring pauperism, crime and ruin, and such, institutions as those wliich claim Mrs.' Hind Smith as their founder, are calculated to answer these admirable objects, and give tli3 poorer classes many of the comforts and. amusements they required.

EVENING STAR SUPPLEMENT, OCTOBER 7, 1876.