s, still continued to prevail; the magistrates could not
punish a crime of which they were not informed, and they could obtain
no information of a practice vindicated by the populace.

It is not, indeed, to be allowed that the custom of drinking distilled
liquors, however prevalent, has yet arisen to the height at which the
noble lord, who spoke last, seems to imagine it arrived; for though it
is undoubtedly true that seven millions of gallons are annually
distilled, it is not to be imagined that the whole quantity is wasted
in debauchery! some is, exhausted by the necessities, and some by the
conveniencies of life; a great part is exported to other countries,
and the distillery promotes many other purposes than those of riot and
licentiousness.

That too much, however, is used by the common people, and that
intemperance has for some time prevailed in a degree unknown to any
former age, cannot be denied; and, therefore, some means of reclaiming
them ought to be tried. What then, my lords, is to be done? The first
law was eluded, the second is defied: the first was executed, but
produced no restraint; the second produces a restraint so violent,
that it cannot be executed.

That the present law is ineffectual, cannot be doubted by those who
assert, that the quantity of spirits distilled has every year
increased; and there seems to remain, therefore, no other choice than
that of suffering this increase to proceed, or to endeavour to prevent
it by new regulations. The present law ought to be repealed, because
it is useless; but surely some other ought to supply its place, which
may be more easily enforced, and less violently opposed.

The bill now before us, my lords, will, in my opinion, answer all the
purposes of the last, without noise, and without disturbance. By
lessening the price of licenses, it will put a stop to clandestine
retail; and by raising that of the liquors, it will hinder the common
people from drinking them in their usual excess. Those who have
hitherto lost their reason and limbs twice a-day by their drunkenness,
will not be able, under the intended regulations, to commit the same
crime twice in a week; and as the temptation of cheapness will be
taken away, it may be hoped that the next generation will not fall
into the same vice.

Since, therefore, my lords, the arguments in favour of this bill are
at least plausible and specious; since the design appears to be worthy
of this assembly, and the me