a-day in
spirits, can now have no more than could formerly be bought for
twopence, he must necessarily content himself with only two thirds of
the quantity which he has hitherto drank; and, therefore, must by
force, though, perhaps, not by inclination, be less intemperate.

It is not to be doubted, my lords, but that spirits will, by this
additional duty, be made one third part dearer; for it has been
hitherto observed, that retailers levy upon the buyer twice the duty
that is paid to the government, as is every day apparent in other
commodities; so that the yearly quantity of spirits which is usually
distilled will cost five hundred thousand pounds more than before, a
tax which, I suppose, those who are charged with this kind of
debauchery will not be supposed able to pay, and which yet must be
paid by them, unless they will be content with a less quantity.

That spirits will now be sold in every publick-house, of whatever
denomination, has been, I believe, justly asserted; but the assertion
has not been properly urged as an argument against the bill. One of
the circumstances which has contributed to the enormous abuse of these
liquors, has been the practice of retailing them in obscure places, by
persons without character and without money; who, therefore, neither
feared penalties nor infamy, and offended against law and decency with
equal security. But when the cheapness of licenses shall make it
convenient for every man that pleases to retail spirits in a publick
manner, they will be generally drank in houses visited by publick
officers, observed by the neighbouring inhabitants, and frequented by
persons of morals and civility, who will always endeavour to restrain
all enormous excesses, and oblige the masters of the houses to pay
some regard to the laws. Those whose appetites are too importunate to
be restrained, may now gratify them without being tempted to enter
into houses of infamy, or mingling with beggars, or thieves, or
'profligates; and, therefore, though the use of spirits should
continue the same, its consequences will be less fatal, since they may
be had without the necessity of associating with wickedness.

But, my lords, it is not improbable, that by this bill the number of
retailers, at least in this city, where they are most pernicious, may
be lessened. It is well known, that the reason for which they are sold
in cellars, and in the streets, is the danger of retailing them in
other places; and th