It is a matter of interesting inquiry to investigate the various modes of inebriation as they exist in different countries; and the examination becomes serious and important when it is undertaken with a view to address a cure to the intemperance of any given community. In entering upon this topic, it will be found that there are strong shades of difference in the occasions on which intoxicating liquors are used in various nations: so much so as to make it manifest that the mode of cure of national intemperance must, in the nature of things, vary with these circumstances. To those who are habituated to attend to the power of peculiar customs on the morals of a people these considerations will appear of no mean importance; and I humbly hope, that the views of the wise and intelligent in Great Britain will soon be universally and intently directed to this subject.

Although there is a great similarity in the drinking usages of the three kingdoms, yet there is so much of variety and discrimination among them, as will justify us in considering the subject under the threefold division of those of Scotland, Ireland, and England. In this arrangement, I take up the discussion of the customs of the three kingdoms in the order in which they were first examined and investigated, beginning with North Britain.