hundred and sixty-four delegates, met at the Saratoga Springs in August. Nineteen states were represented at this convention; and there was a considerable delegation from Canada. This convention reiterated the sentiment, now becoming general, that total abstinence is the only remedy. The example set by this influential body was followed by various state conventions.

The first anniversary of the American Temperance Union was held in the city of New York, on the 9th of May, 1837. Cheering reports were received from all parts of the land, in reference to the progress of the cause.

The Journal of the American Temperance Union commenced its career this year, in the city of Philadelphia. It has since been transferred to the city of New York, and ranks high as a Temperance

paper.

A very important event of this year, was the organization of the Marine Temperance Society of the city of New York, with two thousand one hundred and seventy members, of whom one hundred and forty were shipmasters. The principles of Temperance have taken firm root in the commercial and national marine, and the results have been most gratifying. Temperance seamen are trusted everywhere, and can get a cargo when the drinkers of strong drink fail to find freights and business.

Laws for the suppression of the traffic in ardent spirits were enacted by different legislatures this year. Tennessee passed a law of great severity against tippling in 1838. About the same time a

law was passed in Mississippi, rendering it highly penal to sell less than one gallon of spirits at a time. The legislature of Massachusetts shortly after passed a law, prescribing a penalty for the sale of less than fifteen gallons at one time, which excited considerable opposition, and was subsequently repealed.

Several noble triumphs of the temperance cause occurred in the year 1839. The British steampackets discarded the practice of furnishing liquors at their tables. The London New Foreign and British Temperance Society adopted the American total abstinence pledge. Old Faneuil Hall, the cradle of American freedom, witnessed the celebration of the Fourth of July, on temperance principles, for the first time this year.

This year also, commenced the great and memorable temperance reformation in Ireland, by Father Matthew. Dr. Woodward, superintendent of the Hospital for the Insane, in Worcester, Mass., published this year some able essays, on the cure of inebriates, and the expediency of establishing hospitals for their reception. The work excited much inter

est.

Dr. Woodward argued, that "if there are thirty thousand drunkards in this country, and onetenth part are susceptible of cure, it will afford sufficient motive immediately to commence the work. Doubtless one-half may be cured, and the habit be wholly removed, if proper means are persisted in for a sufficient length of time. If thirty thousand people were to have the small-pox in this country, in the next ten years, and it should be known that the disease would then for ever be at an end-would

the philanthropist fold up his arms, and be satisfied that when these cases were cured the disease would be extinct? Or rather, would he not exert himself, to see that hospitals were provided, and every means secured that would lessen the severity and fatal tendency of the malady for these ten years? But no sober and considerate man can for a moment suppose that the evil of intemperance is to be removed from among us all. Shall we sit idle, and see the mighty evil, witness the ruin and wretchedness it entails upon man, and not make an effort for its cure?"

The progress among the different temperance societies, from the old to the teetotal pledge, continued to be steady and rapid, until it appeared that, in the state of New York, in 1838, the two thousand societies, formed on the moderation principle in 1837, had ceased to act, and eleven hundred and seventyeight had sprung up on the teetotal principle-numbering over one hundred and thirty-two thousand members.

In 1840, the number of pledged teetotalers in the

United States was two millions-at least fifteen thousand of whom had been drunkards.

CHAPTER X.

THE WASHINGTONIAN MOVEMENT-ITS ORIGIN, PROGRESS, AND RESULTS.

AT the commencement of the year 1840, the temperance cause appears to have been in a languishing condition, when a new and blessed movement is commenced.

A little band of haggard men is seen

At the convivial board. Yet what doth mean
That hesitating look, while one doth pass
To each the sparkling, tempting, ruby glass?
Those haggard men had long the slavery known
Of curs'd Intemperance; and with sigh and groan
Had spent whole years of hopeless wretchedness,
Without a smile to cheer, a word to bless!
And hath that poisoned cup for them no charm,
Who long have sought it as a soothing balm,
That thus they hesitate, and no one sips
The liquid fire, e'en while it's at his lips?
Still hesitating? See! they-they have braved

The Demon in his den; they-they are saved!
Yes, they are saved! their chains are broken. Now
With trembling hand they frame the solemn vow—
The second declaration-to proclaim

O'er earth, Man no more glories in his shame!"

Such is the poet's description of the Washing

tonian movement.

The "little band of haggard

men," were six drunkards of the city of Baltimore, composing a club for social tippling. These six intemperate men met at Chase's Tavern, in Liberty street, Baltimore, on Friday evening April 2d, 1840. The names of these persons, and their occupations, were as follows-viz. William K. Mitchell, tailor; John T. Hoss, carpenter; David Anderson, blacksmith; George Steers, wheelwright; James McCurly, coachmaker; Archibald Campbell, silverplater. As a distinguished speaker was to deliver a discourse that evening on temperance, it was agreed, after some remarks, that a committee should be deputed to hear it, and bring back a report. The committee went, listened to the discourse, and returned to their comrades, fully convinced of the great importance of the subject, and of the folly of their habits. One of the committee remarked, that after all, Temperance was a very good thing. The landlord hearing the remark, commenced a tirade against temperance men, and denounced all temperance preachers as hypocrites, without a solitary exception. One of the six replied with some warmth

"Of course it is for your interest to cry them down, at any rate." This excited earnest debate, which resulted in confirming the six in their convictions of the evils of Intemperance; and they there came to the determination to form themselves into a temperance society, to be called "The Washington. Society." A pledge was written and signed; and each one, from the want of speakers, determined to portray the evils from their own personal experience, which they would relate. William K. Mitchell was