Any one who will take the trouble to review the legislation of the last twenty years in connection with sanitary and educational matters must feel convinced that “permissive” legislation in regard to the sale of drink is sure to come sooner or later. That it will be accomplished by the Liberal party there can be little doubt; for whilst the stronghold of the Conservatives has been the protection of all vested interests, and their weakness, distrust of the masses, the Liberal leaders have ever been ready to repose confidence in the people, and, even at the risk of offending powerful supporters whose interests were prejudiced by their action, they have cheerfully accorded to the masses the power and facilities for self-government, and for the reform of national abuses. At the present time there is no permissive measure before the country, excepting that of Sir Wilfrid Lawson, which, in its inceptive form, proposes to confer upon majorities of two-thirds of the ratepayers in cities, boroughs, parishes, or townships, the power of entirely suppressing the sale of intoxicating drinks, and that bill has been time after time rejected by the House of Commons on the second reading. But then almost every other measure that has been introduced into Parliament for mitigating the evils of drunkenness has met with a similar fate, partly on account of the predominating influence of the publicans, and the fear on the part of members of the House of Commons of giving offence to a formidable body of men who, once at least, have been mainly instrumental in upsetting a Ministry, and also from the apprehension that if such a power as that sought by the bill were granted, it would become the instrument of tyranny and oppression. But with all deference to the British House of Commons, we venture to think that many of its members have not in this matter maintained the high reputation which they have earned as practical men, and that they are year by year defeating their own aims. The publican power in England is no doubt very real, but it is rendered far more formidable than it would be otherwise through the timidity of those by whom it should be controlled; and that timidity, if it continues, will some day force the members to take part in a reaction, which is sure sooner or later to set in against the drink trade, and which might be greatly diminished in its severity by the exercise of a little timely vigour and determination.