Page:The Story of the House of Cassell (book).djvu/29

 "Their plan of operation was this: Some half-dozen Temperance advocates would assemble near to a public-house, my Uncle Alexander . . . would play a tune or two on his flageolet, and when this had attracted a group of listeners, the real proceedings would begin with a brief prayer by my grandfather, this being followed by an energetic address from John Cassell. Those were rough times, and that was a rough neighbourhood, and it not infrequently happened that the speaker and his associates would be assaulted and driven away with such missiles as the street afforded. They were, however, not the men to be daunted; they persevered, obtained the sympathy of the women, who were the greatest sufferers, and ultimately established a society numbering some hundreds of total abstainers.

"I well remember to have been taken by John Williams and John Cassell to a meeting held in a hall at Milton Street, Finsbury, at which they both delivered addresses, and while returning we met a drunken man staggering from side to side along the footpath. Cassell, as was his wont, improved the occasion by expressing hope that when I became a man I would never be a slave to 'the cursed drink.' "

Mr. Farlow Wilson, visiting his grandfather in the year 1850, mentioned that he was in the employment of John Cassell. Someone present remarked: "Cassell was only a carpenter, I think?" "Only a carpenter!" cried the old man. "Tell me, lad, who is there need be ashamed of being a carpenter, or a carpenters son?"

Cassell became, in April, 1837, a recognized agent of the newly formed National Temperance Society. In its interests he travelled all over England. To carry out the arduous programme of this ardent society a man wanted skill as a speaker, ingenuity as an organizer, but, above all, courage and tireless endurance. Cassell possessed all these qualities, and he succeeded. In two months he took 550 pledges.

He had no pre-arranged programme. As he passed from town to town he attracted attention by twirling a large rattle, and the crowds of curious men and women who assembled were soon entertained by his vigorous