Col. Higginson related a humorous anecdote at his recent lecture, in illustration of the theory which many persons hold, that a narcotic of some kind is necessary for every one. While Mr. Higginson was travelling along the border of Kansas, a cattle ranger came through the cars, anxiously inquiring of every passenger whether they had any tobacco. All returned a negative answer, and, when at last the man reached Mr. Higginson, he was almost in despair. "You haven't got any tobacco 'round you?" he queried, in a pathetic tone. "No," was the reply; "I don't use it." "Don't use it?" exclaimed the ranger, starting back in surprise, "don't use it?" "No, never." "Don't you use it in no form whatever?" "No, I don't." "Well, then," returned the man, eying Mr. H. with a suspicious look, "there's one thing; I wouldn't trust you nigh my whiskey bottle!"

On the same occasion Mr. Higginson gave a side hit at the style of prizes given in the athletic meetings. "You encourage total abstinence," he said, "for your athletes when they are training, but you present them with mugs when they have won, as if you did not expect that abstinence to continue afterwards."