designs which Russia, now that she has possession of Kars, may attempt to carry out. And, independently of any warlike ideas, we have in Cyprus a storehouse for the whole trade of the Levant, and of Arabia, Persia, and Mesopotamia. Since, also, it has been determined that the Turkish Empire must be maintained—and it can only be effectively kept up by steadfast endeavours to improve the condition of both Christian and Mahomedan subjects—the example set by the English in the introduction of reforms into the Government of the neighbouring island of Cyprus will surely be the most effectual mode of inducing the Porte to introduce similar reforms throughout the Empire. Both before and after the Christian era, the importance of Cyprus was constantly recognised, and its possession struggled for by Power after Power; but these, while acknowledging her importance, did nothing to increase her prosperity, looking on her simply as a huge and inexhaustible dockyard, where they might build and equip their navies, a military district where they might levy forces, or a territory from which some extra tribute might be extorted. Under an enlightened and Christian Government with whom revenue is not the only consideration, but who will carefully consider what is best for the prosperity of the island and its inhabitants, the ancient glories of Cyprus may in a great measure return to her, and if this should prove to be the case, future generations of Englishmen, will acknowledge the wisdom of the step taken by the present Government in securing possession of an island so famous in history, and so rich in natural resources.

J. R. ROYLE.

NOTE.

The following works have afforded me much valuable information, viz. :—

"CYPRUS ITS CITIES, TOMBS, AND TEMPLES," by General di Cesnola;

"DIE INSEL CYPERN IN IHRER HEUTIGEN GESTALT," Victor Graf Folliot de Crenneville. Encyclopædia Britannica, 9th Ed., art. Cyprus.

38

THE TEMPERANCE REFRESHMENT HOUSE

MOVEMENT.

THERE are probably few, if any, among the social, philanthropic, and religious movements of the present day of greater importance than that which forms the heading of this paper. Temperance refreshment houses were common enough years ago under the title of coffee-houses, and as late as the year 1715 there were something like 2,000 registered in the metropolis alone. Charles II by a proclamation endeavoured to put down these establishments, but failed ; and within the period of a single generation, coffee-houses which had sprung up in London had become household words in their own day, and many of their names are familiar to readers of the history of that time. Though open to the public generally, each house seems to have had its special clique of frequenters, and practically became a kind of club for social intercourse. There was Wills' Coffee-House, where the great John Dryden spent so much of his time, where he had a chair in the chimney corner during the winter, and a seat in the balcony during the summer. There was Button's Coffee-House hard by, and there might be seen day after day Addison and Steel discussing their coffee and tobacco, and things in general; and then there was Tom's Coffee-House, where Johnson, Garrick, Foote, and Sir Philip Francis, the supposed author of Junius's Letters, spent much of their time; and the Rainbow, which Charles II had tried to suppress. The old coffee-houses also in many instances assumed a specific character from the class of clients which resorted to them. But gradually they were converted into fashionable clubs, while for the great bulk of the people public-houses and beershops took their place, and eventually became the only places to which the working classes could resort for refreshment and recreation, the ordinary coffeehouses of more recent times offering little attraction for either.

Such being the case, there has sprung up, though somewhat tardily, a recognition of the great fact that one of the chief needs of the day is a multiplication of temperance refreshment houses; the word "temperance" being used not in an offensive sense towards persons who are really temperate in their use of alcoholic drinks, but in a modern and common sense as implying total abstinence from such beverages. Under the term of 66 perance" refreshment houses will come the cafés, coffee taverns, coffee palaces, cocoa and chocolate houses and rooms, coffee

tem

public-houses, and other similar establishments. The working classes, and the middle classes also, have as it were a right to demand the provision for them of such places of resort, where they can obtain refreshment without being thrown into the company of the ordinary frequenters of public-houses. It is hard upon them to be placed in the way of temptation, and to be almost forced into it when they need refreshment or an interval of rest and recreation. It is hardly necessary now-a-days to enlarge on the terrible evils that accrue from drunkenness in this country. These are recognised on all hands. Drunkenness demoralises and pauperises a very large proportion of the people of the land, rendering them careless both of their souls and bodies; it fills our hospitals, workhouses, and gaols; it brutalises its victims, making them little better, or rather making them worse, than "the beasts that perish ;" it is the prolific source of evils innumerable, and goes far to render inoperative the various works and agencies carried on for the religious, social, and moral good of the community. We all see and acknowledge this now; and, happily be it added, many are the earnest workers endeavouring to eradicate this social canker, that would eat out the very life of the nation were it not for their labours. The cause of temperance is advancing; and recently it was stated publicly that there are now no less than 4,000,000 of total abstainers among us. Of course, the highest ground on which to urge immortal beings to eschew intemperance is religion, for drunkenness is not only a moral degradation, but a sin. Unfortunately, however, there are many who will not listen to religious appeals. Moral suasion then becomes another lever for work in the cause of temperance, and the advocacy of "the pledge" on considerations of expediency. But these and other means which might be mentioned, though much good has been done by them, require supplementing, especially in reference to those who bear the honourable name of "the working classes." As long as for these almost the only places for refreshment, whether it be food or drink, are ordinary publichouses and gin palaces, so long will the temperance movement be greatly hindered. In our large centres of population there are thousands of workmen, and others too of a superior class socially, who perforce must take one or two meals near their work daily, and far away from their homes. Working men have had few places hitherto to resort to but public-houses where they could get their own bit of meat, a chop or a steak, cooked for them, or already

cooked viands served up; and when they go to public-houses they are expected, of course, to drink alcoholic liquors whether they really wish for them or not. Many a young lad, when first going to work, and before he had a taste for beer or other alcoholic drink, and also when his taste was actually averse to them, has been obliged to betake himself to the public-house, for convenience's sake-no temperance refreshment house being at hand. Thus he has acquired a taste for public-house drinks, and after passing through the stage of believing that they give him strength, and that he "cannot do without them," eventually becomes a drinkhard, if not a drunkard. Moreover let us be reasonable when speaking of the working classes. During their hours of leisure, especially in the evening, the public-house has been almost the only social rescrt for the working man, his only club where he can meet his fellows, chat over his work, prospects, or the news of the day; the only place where he can see a newspaper or indulge in some pastime, such as bagatelle, dominoes, and such like. It is all very well to say that after his day's work he should go home and make himself happy in the bosom of his family. His home is too often a very wretched place, where space is cramped, the light feeble; and where domestic duties, such as getting the children to bed, providing their suppers, or putting a thousand and one things in order, are being carried on, so that his presence during the whole of an evening is often undesirable. He wants his recreation, and has as much right to have it after its kind as his betters.

Now to meet all these wants of the working man there has not been till lately any place, as we have said, but the public-house; and then he must drink, drink, drink, if he uses the house at all. Neither the ordinary eating-houses, where hot meat in various forms is sold between certain hours, nor the ordiuary coffee-houses, meet his requirements as places wherein to take his meals when away from home, or to serve as places for recreation after work; the former being, comparatively speaking, expensive establishments, and the latter so repulsive-looking, so frouzy, dingy, and comfortless, and often disreputable, that they repel rather than invite customers. The modern publichouse, with its attractive outside, its plate-glass windows, its bright fittings, its warmth, its light, its company, and a variety of seductive baits, carries the day: a matter for little wonder when all the circumstances of the case are taken into consideration. There are many excellent persons who would by stringent

legislation close all such houses or gradually diminish their number; but that is a question that hardly comes in for discussion here. Probably this object, however desirable, can hardly be expected to be attained till such a conversion of the national tastes and habits has been effected as to leave no demand for public-houses. We must, then, take them as an existing fact, and endeavour, practically to set up rivals to them by supplying the working classes with temperance refreshment houses, that, in their various aspects, shall be as convenient and attractive as the public-houses themselves. Let there be a fair competition; and let the result of this competition, the success or failure of the temperance public-houses, depend on the working classes themselves and the patronage they give them. It is but reasonable, moreover, that those who do not on principle take alcoholic drinks, or who do not care for them and would rather take other beverages, should be provided with suitable refreshment and recreation houses. It is very hard that even against their inclination they may have hardly an alternative but to use the modern public-house as by law and custom established.

However the movement inaugurated has already given them an assurance that their just requirements will be, as indeed they already have been, provided for to a limited extent. And here, before giving a history of the movement, let us say a few words as to the principles on which temperance refreshment houses, coffee taverns, cocoa taverns, coffee public-houses (or by whatever name these are and are to be known) should be established and conducted so as to give them a fair chance of competing with the ordinary public-houses and securing the support of the working classes. Space demands that we should be brief on this part of our subject, and we must therefore be content to lay down, in a few words, the principles that commend themselves, without entering into much detail. One of the fundamental principles of the movement to be observed is that every refreshment house should be so established and conducted as to be a paying concern. Though philanthropy has largely entered into this movement, it will not succeed unless it rests on a sound commercial basis. In such a matter as this, the working classes would fight shy of the houses if they thought they were offered to them as a charity or in the way of a bribe. They must pay, and experience has already shown that they can be made to pay. Without commercial success no amount of philanthropy would extend this movement widely enough to be socially felt. The next point of