Links, for a year or two, by way of experiment. Perhaps, had he made another choice, this tale wonld never have been to tell. Or had the Berryton practice been more extensive, the end would have been less disastrous. But the young doctor had much time on his hands, and a large portion of this was spent in visits other than professional. Of course, wine was freely used in those visits, aud often something stronger, and, "It can do you no harm," or, "Take it out," was then insisted on, for the temperance movement had not spread its light as at this day, nor had it accomplished that revolution in social manners, that now makes it the etiquette never to press one to drink.

Old Mr. Cochrane died some six or eight months after his son's professional establishment at Berryton, leaving a large fortune to be equally divided between the doctor and his younger brother. Six months later, Dr. Cochrane, not having now to depend on a precarious, and as yet unremunerative practice, for the support of an establishment, married, connecting himself with one of the best families in D. The marriage was celebrated with all the festivities-revelries would be the more correct expression,-customary in those days; and after returning from their wedding tour, the happy couple had scores of visitors to receive, who almost all took wine,-then they had to return the visits, where they had to take the wine; then parties were got up for them-dinner and supper, as it might be in each case, where much wine and strong drink was consumed, the doctor just now and then, in the joy of his heart, overstepping the line, but only a little.

All this while Dr. Cochrane's professional reputation was rising. Who so gentlemanly as he? Who so quick at taking up a case? Who so skilful in his treatment? Who so ready to oblige in an emergency? Who so willing to give his services gratis where circumstances seemed to press hard on a patient? Who, in short, was like Dr. Cochrane? Ere long no other doctor would be heard of in a circuit of four or five miles around Berryton. But the fatally delusive social practices were doing their work with him. The people who admired him so much were literally killing him with mistaken kindness. As the population grew, and his practice required more of his time, one here would insist on a glass of wine to "keep him up," another there would press a glass of this fine brandy, to "keep out the cold this winter day;" and so on, till once or twice he came home in too high spirits for natural causes to have produced. Then one out of doors noticed that the doctor's face was sometimes flushed at too early an hour in the day. The whisper ran, and he was cautiously observed; but still there was no ceasing from offering and pressing the pernicious element that was ruining him. By and bye, his hand was observed to shake a little in the morning. Then a mysterious rumour became current that a wrong drug, procured at the shop, from the doctor himself, had been administered to a child, and that before he had observed the blunder, the evil could not be remedied, for the child had died. Moreover the rumour said that the doctor was tipsy. Then his practice declined, another M.D. "set up" in the place, and Dr.Cochrane drank deeper than before.

A year or two passed amid many struggles with the appetite, and many earnest remonstrances from his friends. Once on his way to visit a “case" of sudden illness in the country, he stopped by the wayside, just to steady his nerves with a dram at the toll bar. There meeting a friend of kindred likings, he took "another," lingered an hour, and when he arrived at the scene to which he had been summoned, the patient was dead,-needlessly, as the doctor afterwards acknowledged, for examination proved that skill might have saved him. This fatal result of his terrible vice, induced the doctor to abandon strong drink altogether for a time. But how could he continue to resist without any countenance, the perpetual insistings of "Just a little, doctor?" He fell again, and this time he had a regular drinking-bout for three or four weeks, that ended in delirium tremens. Through this fearful time, with the assistance of two devoted friends, Mrs. Cochrane herself, nursed him. When he recovered, which was after a long period, a change seemed to have passed over the doctor. His place in the church, which had so seldom in more prosperous days received him, was now regularly occupied, and he earnestly joined in the petition to be enabled to resist temptation. But, alas for poor humanity!

For twelve months, Dr. Cochrane had been a sober man, and again the community trusted him, and his skill again brought him honour in the profession to which, amid all his degradation, he remained enthusiastically attached. One night he was called away—it was in the month of January—to a consultation of physicians on a peculiar case, at a house some three miles distant in the country. On his way home he proposed visiting a patient a little out of the line of road by which he should return, so that if he should be a little late, he counselled Mrs. Cochrane not to be uneasy. The discussion between the brethren of the diploma was lengthened, and occasionally a little excited. At such a moment, Dr. Cochrane swallowed a little brandy and water that had been mixed by one of the others present, for himself. With that the sleeping demon was roused, and he drank again shortly after leaving the consultation, filled with contempt for what he loftily considered the asinine stupidity of his colleagues." Half an hour's walk partially restored him to himself, and brought him to the side of his patient, almost fit to discharge his duty with steadiness. His slight shakiness was set down to the account of the cold, and the everlasting remedy was produced. Very readily now he accepted what three hours ago he would have emphatically rejected. He drank, prescribed for his patient, drank again, and then, being excellent company in such a condition, he was pressed to stay to supper, which he did. About midnight he left, refusing all aid, and groping his way in a state of semiblindness over the moor.

Mrs. Cochrane having an ill-defined dread over her spirit all the evening, had dismissed the household early to bed, resolving herself to await her husband's return. One, two, and three o'clock in the morning had struck, when, suddenly, without any warning footsteps, a loud ring of the bell startled her, and made her hurry to the door. But what makes her feel faint and chill? She imagines for a moment she sees her husband's spirit, but her rallying faculties shew it to be himself, unclothed, except

in his shirt. As it subsequently appeared, he had become totally oblivious of his position, and taking off his clothes, had carefully laid them in a heap on the wayside, crowning them with his watch and guard, whose glittering in the starlight attracted a countryman's attention as he passed before daylight, on the way to D

The doctor rose from bed that day, only to resume old habits, bringing on ere long, another fit of the frightful delirium. Guarded as before by faithful friends, it was found necessary to remove from his room, because of his violence, everything but the bed on which he lay. From that bed after some days it became evident, he would never rise in health again. Alternately screaming with terror, and raving with rage, and cunningly aiming blows at his watchers, he at last suddenly sprang to the bed post, up which he climbed, and to the top of which he clung monkey-like, evidently preparing himself for a leap. It was impossible to prevent him. Away he dashed in an access of madness, in the direction of the window. Falling short of his aim, he struck his head on the floor, and was taken up dead.

Whither fled the spirit of Dr. Cochrane? Even Charity becomes indignant, as she answers: "Where? where?"

The drinking usages of society were responsible for his doom; and so are they still for many a one, equally dreadful.

WHAT THE NEWSPAPERS REPORT.

CHARGE OF DRUNKENNESS AGAINST A CONGREGATION.-On Sunday week the minister of a large congregation in Dundee was interrupted in the course of his forenoon sermon by the repeated coughing of his auditors. Pausing in the midst of his observations, he addressed his congregation to the following effect;-"You go about the streets at the New Year time; you get drunk, and get cold, then you come here and cough-cough like a park of artillery. I think I must give you a vacation of six weeks. that you may have time to get sober, and to regain your health again." He thereafter went on with his discourse, which was concluded amid much greater quiet than it had been begun; but just as the congregation was dismissing, an indignant seat-holder in the gallery rose up and loudly declared that the remarks of the pastor were nothing less than an insult to the whole congregation.-Dundee Courier.

DR. BURNS' ANNUAL TEMPERANCE SERMON.-The twenty-fourth annual sermon on temperance, delivered in New Church street Chapel by the Rev. Dr. Burns, was preached on Sunday afternoon last. The preliminary services were conducted by the Rev. Dawson Burns, and the text selected by Dr. Burns was from Esther viii., 6, " For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?" On this very appropriate assage the Rev. gentleman founded a forcible and persuasive discourse, showing the existence of a plot or system among ourselves charged with peril to all classes and interests of society, and the feelings and resolutions

which should in consequence be excited. Before concluding his sermon, he urged the text as supplying a sufficient reason for total abstinence, a call to practical action, and a hope of eventual success. The attendance was especially good considering the state of the weather; some persons had travelled several miles to be present, a proof that this anniversary occasion had lost none of its former attractions. A collection made on behalf of the North-West London Temperance Society exceeded the average of recent years.

A DRUNKEN CAPTAIN.-At the Liverpool Police court, ten seamen, forming part of the crew of the ship Golden Eagle, which sailed from the Mersey last week, bound to Sydney, were charged with having been guilty of mutiny when the vessel was near Holyhead. The specific accusations against the prisoners were that they had refused to proceed to sea under the command of their captain, and that they had unlawfully entered his cabin and deprived him of his liberty by binding his hands and feet with a rope. On the other side, it was urged that the lives of the crew and passengers had been placed in jeopardy by the drunkenness of the captain, and that under these circumstances the steps taken to bring the ship back to Liverpool were prudent and justifiable.-Mr. Raffles, the stipendiary magistrate, being convinced that the defence was well founded, discharged all the prisoners.-Liverpool Mercury.

ASSAULTING A CHILD.-William Hopkins was charged before Mr.' Partridge with an assault upon his own child. Constable: On Saturday evening the prisoner's wife gave him into custody. She told me that he had taken up his little boy and flung him on the floor so violently that she thought the child was dead. Prisoner, who is a harness-maker, living in the neighbourhood of the court, was very drunk when I took him, and a doctor ordered the boy's instant removal to the hospital, where he has been until now. Mr. Partridge: Where is the certificate? Constable: I did not have one, sir. I believe the wife was told there was not any necessity to give one. Mr. Partridge: How am I to know what extent of injury has been inflicted unless I have a certificate? The child would not have been detained in a hospital two or three days for a trifling hurt. Where is the boy? Prisoner's wife: He is here, sir, quite well now. I hope you will be lenient to my husband. He is a kind man to all of Mr. Partridge: Kind! What did he do to the child? Wife: He came home mad with drink on Boxing Day, took up the boy, held him high, and then (hesitating)-let him fall. Mr. Partridge: Where was he hurt? Could he get up? Wife: He was stiff, and insensible, but is quite well now, sir. Pray be lenient. The child, apparently about eight years of age, was questioned by the magistrate, and said that nothing ailed him. Mr. Partridge: You gave your husband into custody. Wife: Oh, I was mad at seeing my child in such a state. I'm sure my husband did not know what he was about. He never struck me or any of the children. Mr. Partridge (to prisoner): This is one of the results of drunkenness.. Think how narrowly you have escaped standing in that dock on a most serious charge. Your wife speaks highly of you. That is fortunate. Let your present position be a salutary warning to you. I shall permit.

us.

you to enter into your own recognisances to keep the peace. Prisoner, who evidently felt much ashamed of his conduct, was then discharged.Morning Star.

COUNSELS AGAINST COLD.

(From the Medical Times.)

We must not forget that the clear frosty weather which has set in is sure to be followed by a large increase in the number of deaths. Without doubt, frost is good for the whole population in the long run. It kills vermin, breaks up the soil, and renders it more fertile; it gives the power of taking brisk, exhilarating exercise, and it keeps up in the active and vigorous part of our race the power of bearing hardships generally. Healthy people find their spirits, appetite, and strength the better for it. Yet there is a heavy fine to pay for these advantages, in the sickness aud death of the infant, and aged, and feeble amongst us. The question comes before us-Ought we not, with increase of physical and physiological knowledge, to be able to reap the benefits, and escape the penalty?

Amongst deaths that occur in cold weather, let us consider, first, those due to improper exposure. A short time ago Dr. Lankester held an inquest on an aged gentleman who had gone out fasting to partake of the holy communion, early in the morning, at one of the churches in Marylebone. He died suddenly in the church. During the hard winter of 1860-61, we noticed in this journal similar cases of sudden death amongst the aged. When the power of rapidly producing heat is lost, a worn out heart or lung may easily be paralysed by too low a temperature. For one, however who dies suddenly out of doors, there are hundreds who die slowly at home; the venous blood, whose heat has been lost, and its chemical changes deranged, stagnates in the lungs—hence the congestion and bronchitis which so largely swell the registrar's return. With the aged then, as well as with children too young or too feeble to take active exercise, if there be a doubt as to the power of withstanding cold, the patient should have the benefit of the doubt, and be kept at home.

Much has been said, and well said, about the necessity for warm clothing, more especially for keeping the limbs of young children warm, as well as the trunk. It should never be forgotten that blood, thoroughly chilled, is poison to the lungs. But something more besides clothing is needed. This preserves warmth, but does not create it or distribute it. Feet cold as frogs, and quite as damp and flabby from cold perspiration, may be muffled hopelessly in the thickest stockings and boots. But take off these wrappings, which shut out the air, and use soap and water and a good rubbing, and they become warm at once. The custom of dressing for dinner, i.e., removing the warm out-of-door garments, and substituting something lighter, after a good polish with soap and towels, is pre-eminently conducive to health. The colder the weather the more does the skin require the warm or cold souce, and the hearty rubbing.

But here we are met with difficulties arising from an odious piece of