264 Baneful Effects of spirituous Liquors. 



it did not appear in a point of view quite so 

 agreeable. 



It was about the middle of the twelfth 

 century, that the distillation of ardent spirits 

 was introduced. These for a long time were 

 only used medicinally, under the name of 

 * c Aqua vita or eau de vie." " What is made in 

 England," says Moryson, " is nothing so good 

 as that which is brought out of Ireland ; and 

 the usquebagh is preferred to our aqua vita, 

 because the mingling of raisons, fennel seedes, 

 and other things, mitigating the heat, and 

 making the taste pleasant, makes it less in- 

 flame, and yet refresh the weak stomach with 

 moderate heat and good relish." 



Illicit distillation augments the misery of the 

 lower classes in Ireland, by destroying the 

 habits of industry ; while the baneful effects of 

 indulging in spiritous liquors at a cheaper rate 

 than otherwise they could be procured, injures 

 their moral character : the defalcation sus- 

 tained by the revenue is, comparatively, the 

 least important concern ; misery and crime, the 

 consequences of inebriety in the people, are a sad 

 reproach to our policy, and must so continue 

 while tacitly promoted by the state. Can the 

 apology of the half-starved apothecary, Our 



