hich their importance demands.

Among these, my lords, the clergy have distinguished themselves by a
zealous opposition to this growing evil, and have warned their hearers
with the warmest concern against the misery and wickedness which must
always be the attendants or the followers of drunkenness. One among
them [Footnote: Bishop of SARUM.], whose merit has raised him to a
seat in this august, assembly, and whose instructions are enforced by
the sanctity of his life, has, in a very cogent and pathetical manner,
displayed the enormity of this detestable sin, the universality of its
prevalence, and the malignity of its effects; and in his discourse on
the infirmary of this city, has observed with too much justness, that
the lowest of the people are infected with this vice, and that _even
necessity is become luxurious_.

Many other authorities [Footnote: He read the preamble to a former
bill, the opinion of the college of physicians.] might be produced,
and some others I have now in my hand; but the recital of them would
waste the day to no purpose: for surely it is not necessary to show,
by a long deduction of authorities, the guilt of drunkenness, or to
prove that it weakens the body, or that it depraves the mind, that it
makes mankind too feeble for labour, too indolent for application, too
stupid for ingenuity, and too daring for the peace of society.

This, surely, my lords, is, therefore, a vice which ought, with the
utmost care, to be discouraged by those whose birth or station has
conferred upon them the province of watching over the publick
happiness; and which, surely, no prospect of present advantage, no
arguments of political convenience, will prevail upon this house to
promote.

That the natural and evident tendency of this bill is the propagation
of drunkenness, cannot be denied, when it is considered that it will
increase the temptations to it by making that liquor, which is the
favourite of the common people, more common, by multiplying the places
at which it is sold, so that none can want an opportunity of yielding
to any sudden impulse of his appetite, which will solicit him more
powerfully and more incessantly as they are more frequently and more
easily gratified.

In defence of a bill like this, my lords, it might be expected, that
at least many specious arguments should be offered. It may be justly
hoped that no man will rise up in opposition to all laws of heaven and
earth, to the wisdom of all