The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-09-08 00:00:00

•. • .

LICENSED VICTUALLERS--LETTER 11.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STATESMAN.

Accept my acknowledgments for your condescen-
sion, in giving insertion to my former letter, in your
honest and independent Paper, which has at all times
been the genuine advocate of the people; among
whom there is no class more indefatigable and high-
spirited than the Licensed Vititindkrs, nor more op-
prefsed by a variety of serious, as well as petty vex-
ations. Within the last five years Malt was double the
price that it is at present, and Hope 301. per cwt.; that
may now be bad for little more than as many shillings,
particularly that description of Hope used by Porter
Brewers, still the price of Beer Itas varied but a hair
penny per quart. If Brewers could live under the
former prices, are not the public at present imposed
upon ? The Distillers too, have similar advantages in
Malt, yet no change takes place in the price of gin.
The grievance continues, and the public are the dupes.
The camels the baseness of a system that must oppress
any country, particularly, if encouraged by the
consthuted authorities of the State, and if the
privations of the people become a source of revenue
and give seat to monopoly. The Brewers and Malt
Distillers are a wealthy body of tradesmenomsociated
into powerful Companies, whose means enable them to
regulate their own prices; and should a competitor
attempt to undersell, the whole unite to undersell /dm,
and in one way or another bring him over to their
measures, or effect his ruin. This is the blessed effect
lof monopoly, where comenfrcial insulation is destroyed,
and the chance of an open maket annihilated. The Mi-
nisters of Finance find the Ways and Means easier'
supplied from rich capitalists, than those in more hum-
ble circumstances, who are either cat out or discus-
razed by the opposition they meet with, in the prose-
cution of their honest endeavours to get forward in the
world. A similar monopoly exists in the vinegar ma-
nufactories, direct from similar causes: so that between
Taxes direct and indirect, beer, spirit, and wine li-
cense; rent, ire, and candle light, a licensed victual-
ler bas more obstructions in his business, than the
public are aware of; beside, the Brewer is paid every
28 days for swipe. seldom 6 weeks out of the mash-tub,
before it is measured out to the consumers. In fact,
it must be disposed of in a hurry, or a want of body
renders it better adapted to the stores of the vine-
gar merchant, then the stomach of the mechanic, and
notwithstanding all this, the porter (at least of some
few brewers) is generally more wholesome beverage
than the ale, which is too often made up of materia's
by no means creditable to those who use them, or
those who have been prosecuted for having deleterious
drugs, not only cm their premises, but in the constant
habit of substituting them for malt, and bops. These are
multiplied demonstrations of my position with regard to

the Licensed Victuallers' difficulties in trade, and the en-
couragement they merit from their fellow citizens. But if
there are a few rotten sheep amongst tit em, contrary to
the old addage—" They do not infect the whole flock."
On last licensing day, a most respectable man, the
keeper of; respectable public-home and hie, was than
a055imd,1,...44 Ca told yes keep late keen In your bogie
that 'people were Net coming out at twelve o'clock

during Peckham fair." The publican answered, " 'Tis
impossible to force people out who have been in for
some time and conduct themselves with propriety."
The other rejoined, " You mast clear your house by
force : if they don't quit at 11, drive them out, you're
strong enough to do it; use weapons to pat them out."
The publican replied, "Sir, by the public I live. I will
never abuse them. Should you send constables to dis-
lodge the gentlemen that resort to my house, and
even place yourself at the headlof them, I should not
be accountable for your treatment." You may retire,
Sir, we'll send fur yea. After this, Mr. EditorMi
there any 'farther proof wanted of petty tyranny. filen
caprice and petulance is this exercised, and a man of
established character and credit, left is a state ofl
suspense on the uacertainty of this tenure until
the adjourned day, when he receives another lecture
equally wise and salutary in the opinion of the pulp
matical chief. I am, Mr. Editor, the last person who
would encourage late hours, which are more injurious
to the Publican than otherwise, as he is not only de-
prived of his natural rest, rat kept at the same expense
of fire and candlelight as if his house were fall. But
there is a material difference between a regular and
well-conducted Publican, and the winked-at keepers of
fiash-honses, or the parse-proud lordlings of a protect.
ed brothel. Under such circumstances, and with best
wishes for the prosperity of Tea STATRSMAN, which I
shall at all times recommend as Me Paper of tie People,
I shall now and then trespass farther upon your liberal
and enlightened columns.
Leashes...lase, Sept. fl, 1891. BAMNABY BUNG.

The East India Company's ship Kent, outward-
bound, was in lat. SO. 43. S. Long. 33. 1. W. oil
the 18th April.
Hagerman D WHALI FisesaY.—On Tuesday last, the
Hercules. Piachon, arrived at Aberdeen with 1 fish. from
the Oreenlaud whale fishery, which she left on Sib
ult. ; saw the Neptune, Ridley, of Aberdeen, early is
July, with three large Soh, and parted with her in
thick weather, in company with the Union, Storey, of
Hall, with four fist, both ships intending to steer to
the westward.

EDI& muses, Sam 4.—The number of shearers at
the West Peet yesterday 'porn's/ was not se great es
last week. They were nearly all hired at from 1541.
to 2s. a-day.
Harvest has been very brisk in this asighboarbeed
this week, sad parte( the staff is a field belongieg to
the Few has bees already got is. Wheat is every
where a fine and heavy crop : Oats and Barley, IN
most places, are light, and will be below average...-.
(PertA Courier, Thursday.)
Dt&INTIRMITIDNIISSL&It week, &
joaraerman shoemaker toned a stun of matey on the
street, amounting to 151. He immediately deposited it
with his employer, aid advertised fur the loser; who war
found to be a porter, that had lost the money while me-
, ming it from i.e geetienuat to another. He offered
the finder ifs. which the latter geeerensly refined ; ids
employer, also as a reward of his honesty, offered him
is. ; bet he perdsted In refining to takiag. aay thin
for having dam to mere this what was right. Mr
widest Is the mere wide credit, as be is a poor ow"
with wife sad farstly.—(ffslisefergir Beer.)

ittivrEstiO4

ORIGINAL POETRY.
THE COCKNEY SPORTSMEN.

Bob Last, and Tom Stitch, one night o'er a pot
Were talking of polities. trade and what not,
The national debt, aid oppressive game laws,
Which forbid even Woodcocks from greeting their jaws;
And thought that next Sessions—House-Sparrows so tame
Would be with Cock Robins, and Tom Tits, eali'd game ;
Thus, forbidding the pleasure a day's sporting yields
In lissulussmith, Hackney, or Battersea fields.
" My musket" said Tom. " is as clean as a smelt.
Well charged too with powder and shot is my belt;
My bull dog. and pug too, I've tutor'd so well,
That I'H bet 2 to I, at ti mile they will smell,
And promise myself, should it prove a line day,
In the month of September, a few hours play."
" I'll join you," cried Bob, "tho' not much of a shot,
And tho' I bag nothing shall care not a jot."
'Twos agreed—the time fis'd where to meet—bid good
night—

Shook bands and departed with seeming delight.
At five in the morning, Tom kuock'd at the door—
Bob, restless, had risen two hours before;
As fresh as a lark, tho' deprived of his sleep,
And fancied in game was already knee deep;
A flask of bine ruin Bob's pocket reveard,
Each a:glass took, and drank to the sports of the field.
Near kertaington, marching, in calm pensive mood,
By the side of a thicket a poor donkey stood,
Whose ears half recumbent sppear'd thro' the bashes,
To our -sportstnens' strain'tt optics—two blackbirds or
thrushes. ft
Tom crept on his knees till he got near the spot.
Then levell'd his piece—and away went the shot.
" Thpy're down" exclaim'd Bob. and eagerly flew
To pk.k up the game, when the Ass 'pear'd in view.
Much alartu'd—off they ran—were soon out of sight—
Took a dram and recover'd the effects of the fright ;
When adjoining a cot, on the roof of a stye.
A tom-cat sat musing, and soon caught Bob's eye.
Ilk piece charged, soon fired, miss'd puss—but alas!
lilt the window above him and broke all the glass.
The report very soon brought a mastiff in sight,
Whose appearance again put oar heroes to flight;
Tom popp'd thro' a hedge and was scaling a ditch,
When the mastiff behind seized him fast by the breech ;
'And spite of the kicking and screaming he made,
Held him fast till his master came up to his aid.
" Hell and fury !" he cried, " what bast thou been at ?
What Devil induced thee to shoot at my cat?
To break all my windows—and frighten my wife?
I'll hang thee, then villain. as sure as Monet life."
Tom begg'd hard for mercy, was ready to swear,
The eat. if it was one, he took for a hare,
" A hare !" rejoited he, " you scoundrel, yeso4le
Did you e'er know a hare mount the roof °Ulnas?"
Tom replied, " he ne'er saw one alive in his life,
Was sorry, indeed, he had frighten'd his wife;
For the glass he had broken he'd willingly pay,
And promised in future to keep far away."
This cabled the old man, Tom paid for each owe,
And swore be wouirtneer go out sporting again.
A worse fate attended poor Bob and his gun,
Who for two miles and upwards half frantic had run ;
II is conduct exciting a general belief
That he'd murder committed—look'd so like a thief.
Cries of •• stop thief" ensued, poor Bob was secured,
And spite of remonstrance, in the cage was immured,
In vain he protested, he'd been out for sport,
Was a snob by profession, and lived in Crane-court ;
And could bring, if required, in spite of their sneers.
A hundred good men who had known him for years
'Twits all unavailing, to justice must go,
Who'd commit him at once. whether guilty or no.
A pair of strong handcuffs was quickly put on,
And his breeches made slack. lest away he should run.
'Fore bit Winship was Woes, " mail fellass." be said.
`: Who are you? what are you ? and how get your bread ?"
Bob repeated his tale, that he'd been oat for sport.
Was a snob by profession and lived in Crane-court.
Enquiry was made, he was found to speak true,
And discharged with a caution to keep trade in view.
Bob vow'd that his worship's advice he would take,
To his LAST stick to future—and sporting forsake.