1827 Wine and spirit adulterators unmasked

49

he is open to an information from the

two gallons,

purchaser for a considerable period ;

and, on con-

viction, to a heavy penalty. the quantity of genuine Spirits which passes into the hands of Gin-shop-keepers,* previously to any adulteration or reduction, amounts to a proportion of more than two-thirds of the whole of what is sold in the united kingdom, ought to point out the ne- cessity of some restriction, which can only he ren- dered effectual by placing the trade of the Whole- sale Wine and Spirit Merchant on a more equal footing with that of the Retail Dealer possessed of a Wholesale License. And, if I may be allowed to hazard an opinion respecting the latter, I would observe, that, let the limitation with regard to the smallest quantity of Spirit, which a WholesaleWine and Spirit Merchant should be permitted to sell, be fixed at one quart or a gallonf (instead of two gallons, the present extent), let the strictest in- quisition be instituted, to prevent any greater op- portunity for adulteration or imposition, than he possesses at present, and cause him to pay for this additional privilege in the same ratio as the Gin- shop-keeper does for the advantage of a Wholesale License, and a considerable check, both to the The single fact that * This is supposed to include as well all under the head of Public-house and Tavern-keepers. f It may be as well to remark here, that, with regard to Wine, the Wholesale Wine Merchant's license enables him to sell it in quantities as small as a single bottle.