so that, whilst the consumption of malt for brewing was only 50,329,037 bushels for the two years 1829 and 1830, it amounted to 70,479,438 bushels for the two years 1839 and 1840; and at the same time the consumption of spirits increased also, though not to so great an extent; for whilst for the two former years the consumption of British spirits amounted to 15,432,867 gallons, for the two latter years it reached 16,464,700 gallons.

By the provisions of the Beer Act, as at first passed, any person could apply to the Excise and get a licence to sell beer by simply asking for it; but the evils which rapidly followed were so great as to compel a change in the law; hence in 1834 the Act was altered, and applicants for beer licences were compelled to bring a certificate of good character, signed by six ratepayers. The amended Act in 1834 begins by reciting "That much evil had arisen from the management and conduct of houses in which beer and cider are sold by retail," &c. ; and the evidence which was afterwards given before the Committee, of which Lord Harrowby was chairman, proves how baneful was the influence of the Beer Act in increasing the crime of the country.

PUBLIC HOUSES IN 1829 AND 1839.

35

In 1829 the houses licensed for the sale of intoxi

cating liquors were as follow:

у

The rapidity with which beerhouses sprang into existence after the passing of the Beer Act is something marvellous; but it clearly shows what a powerful influence the sanction of the Legislature of a country exercises upon the habits of its people, even when contrary to their well-being.

There is another lesson which these figures teach, viz., the great mistake that was made by the promoters of the Beer Act in supposing that to extend the facilities for beer drinking would lessen the demand for spirits; the influence was the reverse, for whilst from 1829 to 1839, 39,164 beerhouses came

*See return No. 190, quoted in Knight's British Almanac for 1831, page 193.

+See return quoted in Knight's British Almanac for 1841, page 196.

into existence, the number of public-houses had also

increased by 6,214.

The result which followed upon the introduction of the Wine Bill in 1860 was precisely of a like character with that which followed the passing of the Beer Bill; for, whilst the consumption of wine very greatly increased, there was also a great increase in the consumption of spirits and beer.

No wonder that crime should so extensively increase, and that in the absence of much foreign trade, the stagnation and distress should be such as to culminate in the riots and plug-drawing of 1842-Whatsoever a nation soweth it must reap.

CHAPTER V.

CRIME IN ENGLAND AND WALES.

1840 To 1850.

from 1841 to 1850 inclusive:—

The following Table gives the returns of crime, &c.,

Probably never during the present century, or, indeed, perhaps at few periods in our national history, has there been so much distress, coupled with the same degree of political disaffection and social disquiet, as during the seven years ending 1843; hence the reader will see that Column 6 in the Table of crimes stands very high, as also Column 2, which includes robberies, housebreaking, shop-lifting, &c. All the other columns would also be more or less affected by the prevalent state of things at that period. The year 1842 stands out pre-eminently as the year which gives the highest published criminal list in the annals of our country.

From 1842 to 1845, trade continued to improve, and crime materially diminished, so that for the three years-1843-4-5-there was each year a diminution

of crime.

In 1846 trade again became dull, and in 1847 occurred the great railway panic, which for a time seriously disarranged all branches of trade and commerce. In 1848 there was a recurrence of political disturbances; among other exciting events there was the great gathering of Chartists on Ken