soon as it was over, we held an informal gathering in the
bar of the "King of Prussia," and decided that temperance must be
given a fair trial. The missionary had laid particular stress on the
necessity of taking the rising generation and taking them early.
So we decided to try it first upon the children, and see how it
worked.

The missionary was delighted with our zeal. (Our zeal has often
surprised and delighted strangers.) And he helped with a will.
Early next morning he organised what he called a "Little Drops of
Water League," and a juvenile branch of the Independent Order of Good
Templars, entitled the "Deeds not Words Lodge of Tiny Knights of
Abstinence." Each of these had its insignia. He sent us down the
patterns as soon as he returned to Plymouth, and within a week the
drapers' shops were full of little scarves and ribbons--white and
gold for the girls, pink and silver for the boys. By this time there
wasn't a child under fourteen but had taken the pledge; and as for
narrow blue ribbon, it could not be supplied fast enough. I heard
talk, too, of a juvenile fife-and-drum band; and the mothers had
already begun stitching banners for the processions. I tell you it
was pleasant, over a pipe and glass, to watch all these preparations,
and think how much better the world would be when the rising
generation came to take our places.

But, of course, no popular movement ever took root in our town
without a "tea-drink" or some such public function. And you may
judge of our delight when, on applying to the Vicar, we heard that he
had been talking to the Squire, Sir Felix Felix-Williams, and Sir
Felix would gladly preside. Sir Felix suggested the following
programme--(1) A Public Lecture in the Town Hall, with a Magic
Lantern to exhibit the results of excessive drinking. The missionary
would lecture, and Sir Felix would take the chair. (2) The lecture
over, the children were to form outside in procession and march up
behind the Town Band to Sir Felix's great covered tennis-court, where
tea would be spread.

I have mentioned the Magic Lantern and the Town Band, and must say a
word here on each. When the late Government set aside a sum of money
for Technical Instruction throughout the country, Sir Felix, who, as
our chief landlord, may be supposed to know best what we need,
decided that we needed to learn drawing. His idea was, by means of a
magic lantern, to throw the model upon a screen for the class to