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with a moral discipline, which will bring about a 

 moral elevation among the poor, will preserve the 

 distinction between tumult and liberty, between 

 pauperism and independence. Important as it is 

 to improve the tone of feeling among the lower 

 orders, the accomplishment of so desirable an ob- 

 ject is rendered much more difficult, nay, is almost 

 hopeless, while the temptations, which the beer 

 houses afford, exist ; for, if the wages of labour be 

 higher in reference to the price of provisions, it will 

 profit them nothing while they are induced, by 

 such allurements to improvidence and vice, to 

 spend them. That unfortunate piece of legislation, 

 the Beer Bill, has done more to demoralize the 

 population than can well be conceived ; and the 

 only mode now of giving force to the intention of 

 the Bill, which was good, and remedying its wide- 

 spread abuses, is to repeal the Malt Tax, and to 

 do away with the retail trade in beer, except at 

 the old public houses, which should be kept open 

 for the accommodation of travellers, and other con- 

 venient purposes ; but which should be subject to 

 stricter regulations, and required to pay a higher 

 license duty. Houses should still be open for the 

 wholesale trade in beer, but not for the retail trade ; 

 and no consumption on the premises should be 

 allowed. By such regulations, the poor may be 

 supplied with a cheap, grateful, and wholesome 

 beverage, if taken in moderation. The license 

 duty being increased upon the old public houses, 

 where alone beer could be retailed, would raise the 



