ew liquor; it is allowed on both parts, that this liquor corrupts the
mind, enervates the body, and destroys vigour and virtue at the same
time; that it makes those who drink it too idle and too feeble for
work; and, while it impoverishes them by the present expense, disables
them from retrieving its ill consequences by subsequent industry.

It might be imagined, my lords, that those who had thus far agreed
would not easily find any occasion of dispute; nor would any man,
unacquainted with the motives by which senatorial debates are too
often influenced, suspect, that after the pernicious qualities of this
liquor, and the general inclination among the people to the immoderate
use of it, had been generally admitted, it could be afterwards
inquired, whether it ought to be made more common, whether this
universal thirst for poison ought to be encouraged by the legislature,
and whether a new statute ought to be made to secure drunkards in the
gratification, of their appetites.

To pretend, my lords, that the design of this bill is to prevent or
diminish the use of spirits, is to trample upon common sense, and to
violate the rules of decency as well as of reason. For when did any
man hear, that a commodity was prohibited by licensing its sale? or
that to offer and refuse is the same action?

It is, indeed, pleaded, that it will be made dearer by the tax which
is proposed, and that the increase of the price will diminish the
numbers of the purchasers; but it is at the same time expected, that
this tax shall supply the expense of a war on the continent: it is
asserted, therefore, that the consumption of spirits will be hindered,
and yet that it will be such as may be expected to furnish, from a
very small tax, a revenue sufficient for the support of armies, for
the reestablishment of the Austrian family, and the repression of the
attempts of France.

Surely, my lords, these expectations are not very consistent, nor can
it be imagined that they are both formed in the same head, though they
may be expressed by the same mouth. It is, however, some
recommendation of a statesman, when of his assertions one can be found
reasonable or true; and this praise cannot be denied to our present
ministers; for though it is undoubtedly false, that this tax will
lessen the consumption of spirits, it is certainly true, that it will
produce a very large revenue, a revenue that will not fail but with
the people from whose debaucheries it aris