1 8 00. Review of MiJcl/tfix Survey. S^ 



ingoxen, and gives folid and fubdantial reafons for preferring 

 horfes in carrying on farm work. It appears, that no more ' 

 than 13 oxen are wrought in the whole county; which is a 

 convincing proof of the eftimation in which thefe animals are 

 liiijd by the Mlddlefex farmer. 



Public houfes are dated to be more ruinous to the lower 

 orders of focicny, than all other evils put together. One reafon 

 given for their increafe is, that fo many brewers and dillillers 

 are in the commilTion of the peace. 



That public houfes or dram ihops are dcftruftive of morals, 

 and inimical to the welfare of fociety, is a point upon which 

 tliere can be no difference of opinion; but that their increafe 

 is owing to the numbers of brewers and dillillers being in the 

 commidion of the peace, we deny. The far-fetched and ill- 

 founded obfervation of the man whofe earnings amount only 

 to 9s. per week, bringing home a fliilling more at the end of 

 it than the pcrfon who earns I2s., does not carry convi6liou 

 along with it. We fhould be glad to inquire, what tie of 

 virtue, or fenfe of duty, could influence the one, more than 

 4he other. The temptation to both is the fame; and were we 

 only to reafon upon the fubjecl, we would fay, that the perfon 

 who had the fmalleft income, with a large family to fupport, 

 would be the firll to diflipate a part of it, in order to drcwn 

 care. Much of what is faid on this fubjecl, can be confidered 

 only as declamation. 



The rifible faculties are not a little excited, when we obferve 

 cur author recommending^ milk and water to the labourers, 

 inftead of malt liquor. A hundred tJioufand volumes would not 

 fonvince an Engiifliniiin, that the former is a better beverage 

 for allaying his third, and enabling him to perform his work, 

 than ale and porter. A manufcript paper of Sir William 

 Pulteney's is likewife quoted, wherein the worthy Baronet 

 recommends vinegar and water as an excellent fubdituce for 

 other liquors. We are fearful that the obdinacy of this clals 

 of people will prevent thofe falutary advices from being fuc- 

 cefsful, and that they will rather take their hazard of receiv- 

 ing mifchief from fermented liquc-s, than give up tlie ufe of 

 tliem for any of the fubftitutes propofed. 



After mentioning the price of provifions, which are gene- 

 rally as low in London as any part of the kingdom, Mr Mid- 

 dleton calculates, that each inhabitant of the county, young anvd 

 old, confumes 30 llones and a half (of 8 lib. each) of animal 

 food, 8 bulhels of wheat, and 1 ton of vegetables, per annum. 

 As for malt liquors, the quantity faid to be drunk by the. 

 i.ower ranks, is adouilhing. Take his own words for it- 



F z * There 



