iS2 A N T I E N T METAPHYSICS. Book II. 



exprefiion in a pamphlet, publiflied about tliat time, on this fuhje(£t, 

 in which it was laid, fpeaking of the effect of the drinking of fpirits 

 upon the race, that the children ivere conceived in gin, and noutiJJjcd 

 ivith that poijonous dijlillation in the ijuomb, and at the hreajl. At 

 lad, the abufe became fo flagrant, that the parliament took notice 

 of it ; and there was an a(fl paffed, with a preamble, which, I think, 

 does honour to the Britilh legiflature, and which is in thefe words : 



jin Aci for laying a Duty upon \the Retailers of Spiritous Liquors^ 

 and for Uccnfmg the Retailers thereof 



" Whereas the drinking of fpiritous liquors, or ftrong wa- 

 ters, is become very common, efpecially amongft the people of 

 lower and inferior rank, the conftant and exceflive ufe whereof 

 tends greatly to the deftrudion of their healths, rendering them un- 

 fit for ufeful labour and bufmefs, debauching their morals, and in- 

 citing them to perpetrate all manner of vices ; and the ill confequen- 

 ccs of the exceffive ufe of fuch liquors are not confined to the pre- 

 fent generation, but extend to future ages, and tend to the devafla- 

 tion and ruin of this kingdom : For remedy whereof, may it pleafe 

 your mofl excellent Majefty, that it may be enabled, and be it e- 

 nadtcd, by the King's mofl: excellent Majefty, by and with the ad- 

 vice and confent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Com- 

 mons in this prefent parliament affembled, and by the authority of 

 the fame *," &c. 



This a£t fuppreffed the abufe for fome time ; for the duties im- 

 pofed by it, on the retail of fpirits, were fo high, as to amount to a 

 prohibition. But, in a few years after, money was wanted ; and, 

 according to our method of raifmg money upon the vices of the 

 people, a great part of the duties was taken off, that the people 



might 



* Anno Nono Gcorgii II. Regis, Cap. 23. 



