Nearly every sideboard had its display of decanters, well filled, and it was almost as much an offense for the guest to decline as for the host to omit the proffered glass.

Even boys and girls were included in the custom; and tastes were acquired which led to drunkenness in after life.

All this is changed now.
The curse of the liquor traffic is attracting, as never before, the attention of all civilized people; and national, State and local legislatures and governments are appointing commissions of inquiry, and gathering data and facts, with a view to its restriction.
And, more hopeful than all, signs are becoming more and more apparent that the people are everywhere awakening to a sense of the dangers that attend this traffic.

Enlightenment is steadily progressing.

Reason and judgment; common sense and prudence, are all coming to the aid of repression.