70 On Commerce, 



equally strong. Even allowing that the first importer has 

 strength of mind sufficient against all the allurements of gain, 

 the article goes through so many hands before it reaches 

 general consumption, that all the well known practices of 

 mixing, (particularly when the flavour is strong,) reducing, 

 and again bringing to lull proof, are too often carried to a 

 great extent. 



Even wine is well known to be often so much adulterated, 

 that it is a mixture of no person can tell what. When we 

 consider that this is often used as a medicine, how danger- 

 ous and uncertain must the application often be ! 



Need I recall the attention of your readers to the various 

 means used to adulterate tea before the reduction of the duty ? 

 Ifsfow it is nearly back to its former high price, the very same 

 consequences will naturally follow*, as soon as any of the 

 countries on the continent shall be in a situation to get tea 

 from China so as it "may be smuggled into this country. What 

 with smuggling from abroad, adiflteration at home, the high 

 price lessening the consumption, the diminution of the re- 

 venue must follow. I should now point out some of the bad 

 effects which high duties have on the morals of the people ; 

 but the evils are so numerous, and the consequences so fa- 

 tal to the peace of society as well as individuals, that the 

 subject would require a separate Essay, and I have already 

 intruded too much on your indulgence. Wishing every sue 

 cess to your useful and entertaining Magazine, 



I am, sir, yours, &c, 



Berwick, JAMES GRAHAM. 



Jan. 2, 1800. 



* Before the reduction of the duty on ten took place, the revenue arising' 

 from that article had dwindled to a mere trifle, and the same cause will cer- 

 tainly produce the same cfll'ct. 



XII. Memoir 



