PREFACE. A History of the Temperance Movement has long been felt to be a desideratum, and many were the regrets expressed that no one had, as yet, undertaken to supply this want. Some few attempts, indeed, had been made to sketch certain portions of the History of the Movement, by James Teare, Dearden, Morris, and others, and to these the Author has been indebted for such information as could be made available for the present work. Something of a more comprehensive nature, however, was yet required, and it was hoped that some one or other of the early friends of the cause, whose abilities and judgment might be relied upon, would become the historian of the Movement. But one after another of the early friends passed away, and the materials for any thing like a perfect and consecutive narration were in danger of becoming so widely scattered as to be almost useless; or, perhaps, of being entirely lost. It was under these circumstances that the Author undertook the task; not because he could do the work better, or even so well, as many others who might be named, but because those who could have done it better did not undertake it, and because an attachment to the cause for twenty-two years-eleven of which years have been spent in active employment in connection with two leading organisations in London-had furnished him with abundant materials for the work. The Author has confined himself to facts, which he trusts he has been able to state fairly and impartially. The manuscript of the work was submitted to John Dunlop, Esq., and to Wm. Janson, Esq., both of whom took great interest in it; and Mr. John Dunlop writes, "I have perused the M.S. you sent me and beg to congratulate you on the valuable collection of events, facts, circumstances, and incidents you have so well elaborated, and which will prove an important document for consultation for all friends of Temperance and the public at large." Mr. William Janson also writes-"I shall have great pleasure in recommending your new work, as I consider that there is no one of my acquaintance in the Temperance ranks, whose tact and industry would give us greater security for a correct and faithful narration of the events and incidents of our enterprise." The last two Chapters contain Obituaries of the Departed. This is thought to be an important and interesting portion of the work; in reference to which Mr. Dunlop says, "The giving the biographies was a happy idea. You thereby rescue from forgetfulness many excellent and meritorious parties, to whom the national character of Britain has been, and will be in future time, greatly indebted. It will be gratifying to their friends and relations also, to see their names now held up to respect and approbation, very different from the reproach &c., which was too much their former lot." That this work may be a humble means of promoting the great cause of Temperance is the hearty wish of THE AUTHOR. BARNSBURY, JUNE 2nd, 1862. |