On Commerce. $5 



who well knew the heart of man closed this petition, ( <e Lead 

 us not into temptation") with those, which we are commanded 

 to offer up to our Creator, need I use any further arguments ? 

 I must not, however, omit mentioning a well-known fact, 

 which I am afraid is too little attended to hy those who fix 

 such enormous duties to certain articles*, viz. There is not 

 one amongst a thousand who considers what is called illicit 

 *rade any breach either of religion or morality : if they pay 

 the value of the article to those who sell, they think they 

 have fulfilled every moral obligation. I will now mention a 

 few particulars to show how the health of the people is in- 

 jured by the present system of high duties. I agree with 

 Mr. Lapis, (and I believe it is generally admitted,) that malt 

 liquor is the most wholesome and best beverage for the great 

 bulk of the people: But, since the present enormous imposts, 

 where can it be obtained genuine? Far be it from me to im- 

 peach every brewer of illicit practices ; but the public have 

 had sufficient evidence," that, in different instances, various 

 ingredients, and some of a very pernicious nature, besides 

 malt and hops have been made use of. But, supposing no such 

 practices to have been proved, is it not a well known fact, that 

 not only in breweries, but likewise in distilleries, all the arts 

 of chemistry, and the skill of the most eminent in the pro- 

 fession, are called into action ? To produce the colour most 

 likely to please the eye, to obtain the flavour in most gene- 

 ral approbation, to cause the liquor to sparkle in the jilass, 

 raise a fine head or adhere to the sides of the pot, are, with 

 many other objects, constantly exercising the mind of the 

 operator ; and to obtain such on the easiest terms, or at the 

 least expense, his constant aim and study. It is really asto- 

 nishing how easily some of these objects can be produced by 

 artificial means, which ought only to be the effect of the 

 genuine materials from which the .liquor is made. To ob- 

 tain any foreign liquor in a true genuine state is likewise 

 yery difficult and uncertain ; for in this the temptation is 



* Taking the first price of tobacco at 5\d. per pound, while the duty it 

 £$. 3d., it is evident that one cargo smuggled, yields a fortune to the adven- 

 turer. 



n equally 



