1827 Wine and spirit adulterators unmasked

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tyc.) barely amounts to a restriction; the utmost penalty extending- no further than the forfeiture of whatever Spirits there may be in stock, of an illegal strength, together, with the casks or vessels containing the same.* I may here also add, that to prevent this, requires but little in- genuity or foresight, as Gin-shop-keepers, and par- ticularly those on a large scale, are generally aware of the time their stock is to be taken, a few hours before the officer pays his visit ;f and they have, therefore, nothing more to do (if they think he suspects them) than to pour into those casks, con- * 30 Geo. 3, c. 37, sec. 31. No distiller, rectifier, corn- pounder, or dealer, shall serve, or send out, any foreign Spirits of a lower strength than that of one in six under hydrometer proof, ac- cording to Clark's hydrometer,* nor have in his possession any foreign Spirit, mixed together, except Cherry or Raspberry Brandy, of lower strength than as aforesaid, upon pain of such Spirits being forfeited; and such Spirits, with the casks or vessels containing the same, may be seized by any Officer of Excise. t The periods now appointed for the surveying of Dealers' stocks are once in every twenty-eight days; but occasionally what is termed a check stock is taken, which generally happens about seven days before or after the regular visit has been paid ; conse- quently, there is but little difficulty (except in cases of strong sus- picion) of ascertaining nearly the precise time; or, in the event of a surprise, as the dealer has generally a few minutes to spare (which is all that is requisite) whilst the Exciseman is examining and entering the permits of such goods as have been received into stock since the last survey, the vigilance of that officer, to whom no blame can be attached, and which, considering the nu- merous duties he has to perform, is exemplary in the extreme, is altogether baffled,

Seventeen per cent, underproof, according to Sykes's hydrometer.