In England the first society was started on the 2nd February 1830, by Mr H. Forbes at Bradford; in Scotland, at Greenock, by Mr. John Dunlop and his friends on the 6th October 1829; and in Ireland by the Rev. G. W. Carr at New Ross, 1829. In the last-named country, it is hardly necessary to remind the reader, the great work of temperance reform was taken up at a later period and carried on with great vigour and success by Father Mathew, the well-known philanthropist. From the very commencement the temperance societies have received the support of all thoughtful members of the community, but they have had drawbacks in the eyes of many which prevented their being regarded with unqualified approbation. They soon found it necessary to shift the basis of their operations from the mere abstention from spirits to what is called “total abstinence,” and from moral suasion only, they turned to coercive legal measures against drunkards and drink-sellers. In these matters they have, however, only followed the direction of public opinion, and whilst the number of their members and the zeal of their workers have increased, their changed policy has naturally swelled the ranks of their enemies. Many of their members, too, have taken refuge within their precincts from their inability to exercise due control over their passions, and some of those have not been any more successful as temperance orators than they were previously as moderate drinkers, for it is their intemperate advocacy which has alienated many who would otherwise have been warm supporters of the movement. Amongst the leaders of the great reform, however, there have been some of the noblest men of the age, who have cheerfully submitted to ridicule, to sneers, and to every kind of obloquy and persecution in the performance of their sacred duty; and their perseverance, aided by that of myriads of workers of the rank and file, is already bearing rich fruits in the ameliorated condition of modern society.