late Dr. Croke, who knew so well both the failings and virtues of his countrymen, spoke these words to a body of Gaels: I would urge all my countrymen to stop once and for ever the custom of treating. If necessary, I would pledge them never to give or take a treat. . . If we could get rid of those customs and notions, the backbone of drunkenness in the country would be broken.'

Thank God that the wish of this patriotic Irish Prelate seems likely to be realized in our own time; for the main object of the Anti-Treating League is to break down the pernicious custom of treating, and once the custom is broken down, it is not likely to be revived. I think it may safely be said, that if the League is efficiently worked for five or six years in any large area, it will effect its purpose, work a remarkable change in the habits of the people, and very sensibly diminish the consumption of drink, especially among the country people.

Though the principal object of the League is to uproot the custom of treating, it further requires personal temperance in its members, and seeks to create and foster a strong, educated public opinion against drunkenness. Like all remedies, its efficacy will depend in a great measure on how it is applied. As an effort has been made quite recently, and with considerable success, to introduce it into the western portion of the diocese of Limerick, it has been suggested to me, as one cognisant of the modus operandi adopted, to make it known to the readers of the I. E. RECORD. In doing so, I do not pretend that the method adopted is an ideal one, or one that may not be improved on, but it may be of interest and use to others who have an idea of starting the Anti-Treating League, in their own localities, to know what has been done, and with what results. In practical matters of this kind, in which the highest interests are at stake, and in which the clergy should have a common purpose, a friendly and frequent interchange of views and consideration of plans and methods of action ought to be of value. And what better medium for such an interchange amongst the Catholic clergy of Ireland than the pages of the I. E. RECORD, which I

assume, is a welcome monthly visitor in every presbytery through the country.

In the early part of this year, with the sanction of His Lordship the Bishop, the Parish Priests of the Deanery of Newcastle West and some few conterminous parishes met to discuss the subject of introducing the Anti-Treating Crusade into the district. The result of that meeting was, that it was unanimously agreed to give it a trial. It was further decided that, in order to give it a fair trial, combined and simultaneous action was necessary. Furthermore, it was considered, that no matter how earnestly and zealously the local clergy would,work, in taking a step like this, which aimed at a kind of miniature social revolution, seeking to uproot an inveterate habit and long established custom, they could not and would not be as successful as if they were assisted by strangers-whose presence usually attracts the multitudeand trained missionaries who would be thoroughly made up in all the details of organization. The question of starting branches of the Anti-Treating League was not so much one of preaching set and impassioned sermons against drunkenness and its attendant evils, which the people have heard over and over again. It was a question of dwelling, in a calm and business-like way, on the one special feature of the problem, and pointing out, from reason and experience, how it could be solved by organization and suitable rules and regulations. And for this those who have made a special study of the subject are better qualified than the ordinary run of the clergy. Influenced by reasoning such as this, the clergy who met at Newcastle West agreed to invite two of the Missionary Fathers from Enniscorthy to come amongst them to establish branches of the AntiTreating League. In the correspondence which ensued, many valuable hints were given by the capable and indefatigable secretary, Fr. Rossiter, how best to prepare the way for their coming. Seventeen Parish Priests formed the combination, It was agreed to divide the district into two divisions, and to allot a division to each of the two Fathers so that the work could be carried on simultaneously, and be completed in about sixteen days. A Father remained

with each Parish Priest for two days, and then passed on to a neighbouring parish. The arrangements in each parish to utilise the services of the Fathers were made by the Parish Priest, so as to suit the needs of his own people. In most of the parishes there are two churches, and hence, in order to give all the parishioners an opportunity of hearing the preacher, two days were necessary. In some places, the devotions were held in the evenings-in some partly in the evenings and partly in the mornings, at a special Mass for that purpose.

One of the recommendations made by the Secretary was found most useful, and deserves special notice. He advised, that the local clergy should begin to announce a few Sundays beforehand the coming of the Missioners, the object of their coming, and explain to the people the aims and rules of the new League-the necessity for it, the terrible havoc caused by the treating custom, and thus set them to think and talk about the whole question, so that prejudices may be removed, and the way paved for their own coming. The success of the campaign, such as it is, is due in great measure to this precaution. It made matters easy for the Fathers, and the local clergy themselves. Another great help consisted in the enlisting of lay promoters, to go about amongst their friends, get them to join, and put down their names-special cards were supplied for this purpose. Wherever a judicious selection of such promoters was made beforehand, their scrvices were invaluable; they not only relieved the clergy of much labour, but they became a source of much strength to them, popularised the movement, and saved them from the trouble and confusion incidental to the taking down of names after the meetings. The usefulness of the promoters will not end with the establishment of the branches; they will naturally take an interest in the members they enrolled, and will be of much assistance in times of renewals. It was much easier to find promoters in purely country districts than in towns or large villages, in which the movement has had, not unnaturally, perhaps, to encounter the active, or at least passive resistance of many of those engaged in the drink traffic.

Comparatively more joined in country places than in the large towns. This was expected. Even in these, however, a good number joined, and what was more encouraging, some few of the more respectable publicans themselves. Many of these now realise, that whilst they may suffer some pecuniary loss, it is for the public good; they are freed, moreover, from the revolting scenes arising from the treating custom. They anticipate, and with reason, that if they lose in the sale of intoxicating drinks, they will be compensated in the sale of other commodities; and furthermore, if the movement succeed, it will eventually wipe out some of the low publicans, who make a livelihood by the sale of bad drink and by illicit trading. It will mean, in a word, the survival of the fittest, and better and healthier conditions of trade both for these and the public at large.

The aggregate of those who joined in the League in the seventeen parishes is about 11,000. Some of the clergy complained of delays and disappointments in procuring the badges, etc. It would be well to look to this in time, as a drawback like that often proves highly injurious to an organization. An excuse has I dare say to be made, as the demand at the time was rather pressing. I allude to it, so as to warn those who have an idea of starting the League, to see in time to procure badges, diplomas, etc. It has been remarked, that the enthusiasm on behalf of the League, increased day by day; the contagion caught on and spread from parish to parish, so much so that more satisfactory results on the whole were obtained in the parishes last visited by the Fathers.

So far all the clergy who entered the combination are satisfied with the fruits of the labours of the two missioners, Fathers Quigley and Rossiter. Nor is this to be wondered at. The Missionary Fathers of Enniscorthy are practically the founders of the Anti-Treating League, and have, consequently, an intimate knowledge gained from experience of the best methods to establish branches.

In the clear and exhaustive report for 1902 of the working of the League in his own diocese, the secretary, Father Rossiter, bestows well-deserved praise on other religious orders, who in their missions display wholehearted

zeal in spreading the League through other parts of the country.

But it may be asked, Will the 11,000 who took the Anti-Treating pledge in West Limerick keep it? The answer is ready: Not all of them, nobody expected it. In fact, to my certain knowledge some of them have broken it already. But I believe the bulk of them, the maior et sanior pars, will persevere.

But even if some of them should violate their pledge, a wise provision is made in the rules for the return of such to the ranks. There are two solemn renewals in the year, on St. Patrick's Day and the 1st of November. If the parish clergy where branches have been established, act on the prudent suggestions in Fr. Rossiter's report, and make these half-yearly renewals as solemn as possible, by holding special meetings and inviting strange preachers for the occasion, it will help very materially to confirm the faithful members, and secure a return of some of those who may have fallen away. It is also recommended to have renewals of a less solemn kind at other stated times. It would be well, too, to insist on the wearing and prominent display of the badges, which the women may see to, when the male members are going to town. I would suggest to those who have established branches of the League, or are about to establish them, to procure a copy of this report, which has been evidently well thought out, and gives very practical suggestions in minute details for the guidance of those who wish to co-operate in the movement. The views and suggestions regarding the juvenile branches merit careful attention.

One of the most effectual ways to reform the treating and like abuses is to correct the false notions on which they subsist. The Missionary Fathers acted wisely in exposing, and mercilessly ridiculing, the idea that generosity in a public-house is a sign of decency. On the contrary, it was clearly pointed out to them to be a mark of ignorance and vulgarity, a practice not indulged in by educated and respectable people Our countrymen love to be considered decent, and there is no more powerful method of turning them against any usage