In view of the sharp criticisms which wore called forth by Professor H. A. Giles' warning with regard to the possible substitution of alcohol for opium in Ching, it is not uninteresting to note that Professor Giles can claim support for his opinions among those foreign residents who have most identified themselves with this particular part of the task of China's house in order for her. The Rev. J. E. Walker, p.v., (Shaowa vid Foochow) of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, writes in the "Chinese Recorder" to make precisely the same suggestion as Professor Giles, namely, that oven if opium ix abolished in China there is a danger of alcoholic beverages taking its place, owing to the inborn hankering after something to act pleasurably on the nervous system and owing to the deadly drift towards excess. Dr. Walker thinks that whereas many influences which nade the Chinese a temperate nation in the past are being weakened or removed, the temptations to hard drinking are inoveasing, There are a few regions where distilleries flourish and work much mischief. For the most part the costliness of foreign drinks puts them as yet out of the reach ofthe masses. But, Dr. Walker asks, will this be 20 always? Among the wealths, foreign wines and beer are already becoming fashionable; and while in past time the lightness and portability of opium as compared with spirits facilitated the spread of the habit, this disadvantage to the dissemination of drink is being leseaned every year by of rail by the Dr. Walker closes his article with an
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