a
proper method of restraining them was not easily to be found.

How-difficult it was to contrive means by which this vice might
safely be prevented, appeared more plainly soon afterwards, when the
outrageous licentiousness of the populace made it necessary to
contrive some new law by which the use of that liquor might be
prohibited, to which so much insolence, idleness, and dissoluteness
were imputed.

The law which it is now proposed to repeal, was then zealously
promoted by those who were then most distinguished for their virtue
and their prudence. Every man who had any regard for the happiness of
the publick, was alarmed at the inundation of licentiousness that
overflowed this city, and began to spread itself to the remoter parts
of the kingdom; and it was determined that nothing but a total.
prohibition of distilled liquors could preserve the peace, and restore
the virtue of the nation.

A law was therefore made, which prohibited the retail of distilled
spirits; and it was expected that the people would immediately return
to the use of more innocent and healthful liquors, and that the new
art of sudden intoxication would be wholly suppressed; but with how
little knowledge of the dispositions of the nation this hope was
formed, the event quickly discovered; for no sooner was the darling
liquor withheld, than a general murmur was raised over all parts of
this great city; and all the lower orders of the people testified
their discontent in the most open manner. Multitudes were immediately
tempted by the prospect of uncommon gain, to retail the prohibited
liquors; of these many were detected, and many punished; and the trade
of information was so lucrative, and so closely followed, that there
was no doubt but the law would produce the effect expected from it,
and that the most obstinate retailers would, by repeated prosecutions,
be discouraged from the practice.

But no sooner did the people find their favourite gratification in
real danger, than they unanimously engaged in its defence; they
discovered that without informers, the new law was without operation;
and the informers were, therefore, persecuted by them without mercy,
and without remission, till at last no man would venture to provoke
the resentment of the populace for the reward to which information
entitled him.

Thus, my lords, one law has been eluded by artifice, and another
defeated by violence; the practice of drinking spirits, however
perniciou