40 
ILLICIT SALE OF METHYLATED SPIEIT. 
comes clear, forms an abundant deposit from which the oil is decanted and preserved in 
tinned iron vessels, which are preferable to wooden barrels, which sometimes give colour 
to the very white oil obtained at the commencement of the process. 
When the livers are thus exhausted of the white oil, they are removed to a large 
boiler and heated by a regulated direct heat, until much of the oil remaining separates 
as a hlonde oil, much used by the Norwegians for illumination. The residue is yet 
further treated to get a brown oil, used in the arts, whilst the final residue, of a resin¬ 
like matter, is used by the farmers as a manure.— Journ. de Pharm., March 1866, and 
Amcr. Journal of Pharmacy. 
ILLICIT SALE OF METHYLATED SPIKIT. 
At the Council House, Bristol, on Friday June 8th, eight chemists of that city were 
charged, before the sitting magistrates, with the above offence. Mr. Dwelly, solicitor 
of excise, London, prosecuted. 
The first case heard was that against Mr. E. T. Sharland, chemist, who was charged— 
first, that not being a distiller or rectifier of spirits, or licensed by officers of the Inland 
Kevenue, he had sold certain spirits, whereby he had rendered himself liable to a penalty 
of £50; and secondly, that he mixed a quantity of methylated spirits with oil of pepper¬ 
mint, to fit it for use as a beverage, whereby he had rendered himself liable to a penalty 
of £100. Mr. Edlin (instructed by Mr. John Miller and Mr. Taddy) appeared for the 
defendant, who pleaded not guilty. 
Mr. Dwelly, who appeared on behalf of the Inland Kevenue, explained the law at 
considerable length in reference to the sale of methylated spirits. Of course spirits were 
articles which paid excise duty, but the Legislature had passed an Act of Parliament 
allowing spirits of wine to be sold duty free, under such restrictions as should prevent 
its being used as a beverage. It might be mixed with naphtha, and then the mixture 
would be methylated spirits, which might be retailed by persons taking out the neces¬ 
sary licence. Since the Act of Parliament had been passed allowing licences to be taken 
out, a great many had been taken out, but it had been ascertained that quantities of 
these spirits were sold in Bristol without the licence. Mr. Dwelly stated the facts of 
the present case, and said that the prosecutions were not instituted for the purpose of 
inflicting severe penalties upon the defendants, but as a w'arning to others. 
Joseph Taylor, an officer of excise, stated that on the 8th of January he went to the 
shop of Mr. Sharland, and asked one of the assistants if he sold methylated spirits. The 
assistant said, “Yes.” Witness said, ‘'Put me up a half-pint, flavoured with oil of 
peppermint.” The assistant brought him a bottle containing tbe methylated spirits and 
oil of peppermint. Witness paid 9(7, for it. He took the bottle outside, and handed it 
to Mr. Cnllingworth, an officer of excise. It was afterwards sealed with the seal of Mr. 
Evans, supervisor, and sent to Somerset House. 
Mr. Edlin; Then you went about expressly for the purpose of getting the chemists 
to sell you this spirit illegally ? 
Witness: I went to the shop for the purpose of making a purchase. 
Mr. Edlin: And asked for an article which you knew they could not legally sell; and 
you did not caution them ? [No answer.] Did you buy it for a beverage 
Witness: I purchased it. 
Mr. Edlin: That’s not quite an answer to my question. Did you buy that as a 
beverage—to drink it ? 
Witness: I did not buy it to drink it. 
Mr. J. Cullingworth proved having “ directed ” the bottle to the principal of the labora¬ 
tory, Somerset House, and Mr. P. T. Evans proved the taking it to the railway office. 
Mr. Harkness, one of the assistant chemists in the laboratory, Somerset House, stated 
that he had examined the contents of the bottle. The strength of the liquid was 61 
over proof, and it was methylated spirit flavoured with oil of peppermint. The label on 
the bottle was “methylated spirit and oil of peppermint,” He knew an article named 
“finish.” It was a light kind of varnish, and was allowed to be sold without a licence. 
One ounce of gum shellac must be added to every gallon of methylated spirit to make it 
“ finish.” He examined it to ascertain whether or not it contained gum, but it contained 
none, and therefore was not “finish.” Methylated spirit was made by an addition of 
