Edinburgh, April 21. less efficient Sassenach entices them Scottish Magistrates are advising away from their mountain _lairs, licensed premises to be kept open but an affront of this kind they will to the full number of hours per-not endure. And to add insult to mitted. Why? Because they de-jury, Pussyfoot has insinuated sire to promote the cause of tem-that Scotland will be the first por. perance. In the opinion of the tion of these islands to go ary. Magistrates the shortening of hours What justification he has for this Jeads to dangerous drinking. The assumption Mr. Johnston has not explanation of this curious position been pleased to indicate, but an is not without interest. evening stroll around any of the Caledonian cities does not furnish For some considerable time past! the "Trade" in Scotland has been the slightest shred of evidence in a law unto itself. Licensed shoos support. There is no visible dimination in the dew that descends are opened and closed with little regard to public convenience; the upon Scotland after sunset, nor is unary aim of the licence holde: s there any sign that the Scots are is to sell as much liquor as pos-forsaking their wee drappie'." sible in the shortest possible time.
A Corsewence.
Superficially viewed, the opening By an odd coincidence, at the of public-houses for one hour very time Pussyfoot was' uttering stead of two might appear to ce: this prediction, the annual courts tribute to reduced consumption. were sitting all over Scotland re-Closer observers of the situation—viewing licences, but no drastic such as the Magistrates of the measures were taken. On the con-great industrial city of Glasgo trary, the only houses threatened know that the result is precise the opposite. The arbitrary restric with extinction were those retailing too weak whisky! tion of hours on the part of in-Apropos of the matter of dividual publicans has simply couraged intensive drinking. freshing liquids, a certain hospi Shrewd licence-holders were qui for wounded officers not many miles away from the spot at which to discover the lucrative po: sibilities of one hour's brisk trade this is written recently received a but such conditions render he. bottle of cherries in brandy from 1 kind old lady. The contents of the public house a mere travesty of a Pace of refreshment. and converts! [bottle were greatly appreciated and it into an overcrowded, noisy re-duly consumed. And the question was, how to word the letter ci sort, where liquor is swilled swiftly. where large quantities are pour-thanks. After cogitation the foled down, and where comfortable lowing was sent social intercourse is impossible.
"Dear Mrs-—, We are writing to Hence the recommendation from thank you for your delightful pre-the Glasgow licensing bench to sent, not so much for the cherries keep open the public houses for the} as for the spirit in which thay full number of hours permitted by, were sent."" the regulations, Burns axp THe Doric.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.