1807.) 
plainly distinguish the flavour of the 
Indian berry, and which I am not likely 
to forget since [ once spoiled a whole 
guile of ale, by making an experiment 
with that deleterious drug. 
Genuine, fine and well-brewed malt 
liquor, under whatever name, is not only 
extremely nutriiious and exhilarating, 
and calculated to promote the energy 
and continuance of muscular exertion, 
but also medicinal in cases of debility 
and waste, and the sovereign beverage 
for replenishing the exhaustion of the 
lactiferous breast. Of what immense 
national consequence then is it, to have 
our public brewing conducted with good 
faith, and our national beer genuine! 
Can even prejudice, indolence, and cre- 
dulity, suppose, that the health and 
strength of the people have received no 
deterioration from the miserable, watery 
slip-slop, nicknamed porter, with which 
they have been drenched so long? Is it: 
no injury to the human constitution, 
to be daily, and in some instances hourly, 
swallowing drugs, and even those, to 
say the least, of an unwholesome nature? 
Poisons may be given to operate siowly, 
and insensibly, and with indecisive ef- 
fects. The best and most pleasant Lon- 
don beer which we had, until of late, 
was, according to my expertence, that 
species which has long passed under the 
denomination of hock, or stout; I mean 
that which was brewed entire, and not 
merely compounded of ale and stale 
porter. In former days, we could bottle 
even small beer, with success, and a 
most refreshing drink it made fer dog- 
day use; but I have at various late pe- 
rieds, attempted in vain, to bottle com- 
mon porter, excepting for the purpose 
of vinegar. 
Let me be understood as having 
described the porter of the worst of 
times—but the state of those times, 
merely factitious and political, formed 
no valid or decent apology, for destroy- 
ing the health and breaking down the 
stamina of Englishmen. I am ready to 
acknowledge, that the common drink 
has been since far more substantial 
and salubrious,both from a sense of fairness 
and justice in the brewers, and from the 
salutary competition of*the new houses. 
Indeed, in this way alone, those houses 
have rendered a most important and 
radical service to the public. In fact, 
there existed no possible remedy for 
the public, but through the powerful and 
generally successful influence of property 
and capital, exerted im opposition to 
On the Common Brewery. 
455 
that over-grown aristocracy of capitalists, 
by which the public was at once governed 
and oppressed. From such a majority 
of the public houses being bought up, 
and the property of the brewers, that 
concern partook very much of the na- 
ture of a monopoly, although in no de- 
gree so much, as that still more extended 
and opulent concern the Malt Distillery. 
As to the prevention of the adultera- 
tion of beer by legal penaltics, it is fue 
tile, although it partakes somewhat more 
of common sense, than the laws against 
gambling. 
The idea of subscription brewhouses, 
on the plan of engaging to brew none but 
genuine beer, is by no means a new one. 
it had arisen in the fertile mind of my 
old and patriotic friend, Mr. Sheriff Phil- 
lips, as Lrecollect, from a conversation 
which passed between -us some years 
ayo. ‘The scbeme could never have been 
carried into effect at a more fortunate 
and promising crisis. Beer had been 
notoriously worse, than ever before known 
in England, and the brewers, at the same 
time, making princely fortunes. Popu- 
lation, and by consequence consumption, 
were rapidly increasing. Traders in ge-~» 
neral, are said not to be very squeamish 
and mealy-mouthed about an oath, al- 
though there may not be a damned soul, 
(See Sir Robert Wilson’s most excellent 
Pamphlet,) at the ixcise Office as well as 
at the Custom Hlouse. But I approve 
of that test, heid out by all the new 
houses, of the genuineness of their com- 
modity. In one or two instances,’ the 
oath was vaguely and improperly worded. 
Where is the brewer who would not 
swear that his beer contained no unwhole- 
some ingredients ? Interest goes a vast 
way towards conviction, anda man might 
very easily*bring himself to believe even 
cocculus indicus wholesome. ‘The oath, 
I believe, now generally excludes every 
auxiliary to the malt and hops, and it 
is the only security which the public can 
take. 
Such of the new beers as I have 
tasted, my palate and stomach have ap- 
proved to be good sound, wholesome 
drink, and well adapted to support the 
yowers of the labourer. Some have not, 
Basa so pleasant as 1 could have wished, 
which ought to form a great object of 
attention with the concerned. The pub= 
lic taste demands a temptation in that 
way, which it is of much importance to 
gratify ; and one mode of doing it will 
-be to afford the drink as much age as 
possible before it be sent out, Althongh 
a good 
