"Drinking habits were very prevalent among men, and were not in any way disgraceful, unless excessive"

This quote by Catherine Helen Spence suggests that drinking practices were socially appropriate among guys in the past. It implies that drinking was a common activity among males, and was not viewed as outrageous or disgraceful, unless it was done to excess. This might be interpreted as a reflection of the social standards of the time, which accepted drinking as a regular part of life. It could also be viewed as an indication of the unwinded attitude towards alcohol consumption in the past, when it was not seen as a significant issue. The quote could also be viewed as a warning against excessive drinking, as it indicates that it is only when drinking is done to excess that it ends up being a problem. Overall, this quote suggests that drinking was a socially accepted activity among males in the past, but that it should be done in moderation.