1827 Wine and spirit adulterators unmasked

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in their present state, than any other, and would almost justify, on their part, if any thing can jus-

mode of procedure, which I have

the very

tify,

The contents of

been exposing to reprobation.

however, executing a deed of assignment of the lease, to be held by the Brewer, as security ; together with a bond in judgment, on the whole of his furniture, and other properly, as another gua- rantee for a large additional sum, for which the man lias received no value, but which is considered necessary to prevent all chance of loss to the Brewer. With the little remaining money, which the poor Publican may have left of that, from which he has paid for the fixtures of the house, and- as deposit for the lease, he lias to defray the whole of the expenses of drawing up the lease, bond, and all oilier ne- cessary documents, and after he has paid, besides, half the charges of the broker, for his valuation, the same proportion of the fees of the Broad Cooper, and Guagers, &c, (servants of the Brewer) which fees usually amount, as the incomers share, to the sum of three or four guineas to each j and in addition to which, he is ex- pected to be at half the expense of furnishing the. whole of the party with a handsome dinner and plenty of Wine, he is allowed to remain in quiet possession. If his payments do not happen to be altogether regular in amount, the Broad Cooper, or some other servant of the Brewer, enters the house, without any notice, de- mands the key of the cellar, and proceeds to take an account of his stock of beer, in order to ascertain if he has paid according to the quantity he has sold. If the Brewers choose to lower the price of their commodity, a notice is sent round to each of their Publicans, directing them immediately to lower the prices of their beer as well, no matter what stock they may have on hand at the time, and woe be to him, that hesitates to do so. If the con- sumption of beer happens to fall off, without reference to what the cause may be, or however deserving the man, a representation is made to the Brewer and his partners, in full committee, by the managing clerk, (whose favour, be it remarked, is of the utmost consequence, and his own individual importance not less so),