(_TO THE EDITOR._)
Much as has been said about gin-drinking in the present times, it
would appear from the following curious extract, that our forefathers
(of the last century,) were more addicted to that pernicious custom,
than we are even in the nineteenth century:--
"Several of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of
Middlesex, having, in pursuance of an order of a former Quarter
Session, made an inquiry into the houses and places where Geneva and
other such pernicious distilled liquors are sold by retail, about this
time made their report; by which it appears, to the great surprise and
concern of those who have the trade and welfare of the public truly
at heart, that there are in the limits of Westminster, Holborn, the
Tower, and Finsbury divisions (exclusive of London and Southwark)
7,044 houses and shops, where the said liquors are publicly sold by
retail, (which in several parishes, is computed to be, at least, every
sixth house,) besides what is privately sold in garrets, cellars,
back-rooms, and other private places.
"That of this number, no less than 2,105 are unlicensed; and that
Geneva is now sold, not only by distillers and Geneva shops, but by
above 80 other inferior trades; particularly chandlers, weavers,
tobacconists, shoemakers, carpenters, barbers, tailors, dyers,
labourers, &c. &c.; there being in the Hamlets of Bethnal Green,
upwards of 90 weavers who sell this liquor."
"_JANUARY 20TH_, 1736." G.K.
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