The sum of the whole is that the beer brewing business has within a short time increased immensely—and strictly on the more general recognition of the merits of the product—and that there is every reason to anticipate at least an equal increase in the near future. Beer is already taking the place of ardent spirits and mixed drinks, and not long ago there appeared in the New York _Sun_ the complaint of a bar-keeper who said in substance that the occupation of a skilled compounder of fancy drinks was gone, for anybody could draw beer and beer was what everybody wanted. Large gatherings now are more orderly than a few years ago and the reason is to be found in the general use of beer instead of whisky. At Coney Island the proprietors speak of the change as wonderful, and say that but for beer they could not get on, while now a disorderly occurrence is rare, no matter how great the throng. The same thing may be seen at the various races and in all such great assemblages of people who gather for enjoyment, and under the old regime were sure to become riotous. CHAPTER VIII. COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF BEER OVER DISTILLED OR SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS. The peculiar advantages of beer as a wholesome and refreshing beverage, as compared with either ardent spirits or water have never been so clearly displayed as in the late war between France and Germany—and it may with truth be asserted, that it has triumphantly withstood the trial, and fully maintained its reputation.