or unwholesome; and,
therefore, ought not to be prohibited by a tax so heavy as has been
proposed by a noble lord, who, if he pursues his reasoning, must
propose to tax in the same proportion every other liquor that can
administer to vice.

It is, however, certain, that too much is wasted in riot and
debauchery; and that, therefore, some addition to the price of this
liquor ought to be made, that, though the use of it may be continued,
the excess may be restrained.

What will be the effects of this bill, and whether either of these
benefits are to be expected from it, can be known only by an impartial
examination; and therefore it ought to be discussed with that accuracy
which is peculiar to a committee.

Lord LONSDALE here got up again, and spoke to this purpose:--My lords,
that a bill which shall restrain the excess of drinking distilled
liquors without hindering their moderate use, will deserve the
applause of every lover of his country, I cannot deny; but that any
such bill can be contrived, may very justly be doubted; for in
proportion to their price they will always be used, and nothing can
hinder excess but a high tax, such as I have already proposed.

The bill now before us, my lords, will, indeed, by no means obstruct
the moderate use, because it will give an unbounded license to the
most luxurious excess; if, therefore, nothing more be intended in the
committee, than to consider how far this bill will promote the
reformation of the people, it is surely not necessary to engage in any
farther inquiries.

It has appeared already, to those who do not obstinately shut their
eyes, that there is in it no provision for the prevention of that
abuse of spirits which universally prevails. It has appeared, that the
cheapness of licenses will not hinder the present retailers from
carrying on an illegal trade; that information will not now be more
safe or more frequent than before, and that the duty, if not in part
evaded, may yet be probably abated from the present profits of the
sale.

It has appeared, my lords, that no effect can be produced by this bill
but the promotion of debauchery, the increase of drunkenness, the
subversion of order, and the decay of industry; the miseries of
disease, and the rage of want.

But that this bill will not produce, at least for some time, a large
addition to the publick revenues, has not yet been proved; and while
it is allowed that it will raise money, I do not wonder to hear