The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-09-15 00:00:00

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LICENSEE) ficrUALLIIR&.-:LETTIIig

TO THE EbITOR OP l'ldg IiTATESSIAN.

Your accommodating politeness. in giving my former
letters splice in your indepesderitJournal, has not only
obtained my thanks but those of every friend to that in-
dustrious body of men who directly and indirectly contri-
bute more to the exigencies of the State than any other
tradesmen whatsoever, and who generally stand forward
in defench of the widow and the orphan. My former
sketches gave but a faint outline of their vexatious op-
pressions, which, by exposing, I may alter or amelio•
rate in due course of time; the trial at least is worth the
risk. The adjourned Licensing day has passed over;
have heard of no Licence being withheld, and am,
therefore, willing to give the Magistrates credit as far as
they go; nor should T, by any means, censure parish of-
ficers, for paying even the most scrupulous attention to
certain houses in their districts, provided that inspection
did not grow out of political or revengeful feelings;
then, indeed, busy fellows, instead of trying to remedy
the nuisance, in that kind and neighbourly way, which
is the duty of one 'man to another, 'run into harassing
extremes, and follow it up with foolish vindic-
tiveness. On the other hand, there are few pa-
rishes without houses that entertain suspicions
characters at improper hours ; and if n•C are to value
on such folks, we may look for impertinence and nil
fianisin to those authorities who wish to keep diem
within the pale of the law. Such are a disgrace to
the Licensed Victualler, an injury 16 his credit and
character; and from the irregularities of the
one, the incapacity, imbecility, or political miner-
viency of the powers above, not nnfreettently pu-
nish and materially injure the other. If, as in the
city Wards, whete the licenses ate granted by
the Common Connell, the licences in other places
were granted by the pariah Ofirers, and parish
nest rice, then would the honest, sober and regular
publican be at once known to his neighbours, and all
those perplexing vexations avoided; whereas, on the
otl►er hand, the disorderly housekeeper would he un-
der the cognisance and daily inspection of those im-
mediately about him, and be either induced lii mend
his manners, leave the parish, or loose his license ; that
would be the way to shut but thieves, to eradicate
all flash publicans, and lessen the number of malcon-
tents, who lounge about in public houses during the
day, and at night prowl about for plunder. But that
would not do, the brewer's influence would be
sunk, there could be no saucy clerks found, who
dare tell you, 64 you would get no license if you did not
come into their trade." Nor dare they shat up your
house at their pleasure as long as ',bur honest neigh-
bours stood at your back, to support your indefatiga-
ble attempts to get bread for yodr family. Then
would the article of *wipes get out of use, and the
Brewers be *reed to send the public out the real
essence of mak and hops, and also the rotint be con-
signed to the visurger monopoly. Then would Public
Houses come to the standard of other houses ; but as
long as these overgrown capitalists force their money
on Fabliau, in the purpose of selling their trash, so
long !mute the public suffer under the galling and dis-
-sting ides of having no alteteative but the choice

convenience of putting off a Publicans' license from
one day to smother, west be, not only a grievance, but
an insult to those who keep regular houses ; and I
regret to say, it has been the case in many in-
stances at the Surrey side of the river, which
I apprehend was chiefly owing to two worthy
I:cruelty's. These conscientious gentlemen late-
ly admitted constables, were ;unions to touch
their perquisites Without labour, they thought it
too much trouble to look after thieves, house-
breakers, or pick-pockets, and have more honour-
ably employed their leisure hours by pimping about
public houses, at such times as they thought the unfor-
tunate Landlord was off his guard, or any -supposed irre-
gularity might inadvertently take place; the information
was carried off to the Magistrate direct, and placed to
the debit side of the pahlican's account. So that by the
industry of thole vermin, too lazy to work, and too cow-
ardly to become effective peace:officers, they are led to
embrace the honourable calling of Common Informers.
That such miscreant's should be encouraged by Magis-
trates in times like the pretest is not to be wondered
ar, when It is pretty well Meows a similar species are
the sheet anchor of the Slop Oaks; and for the sake
of the Country it is to be hoped they will soon fall
together. I retiemftek the reign of terror, when every
petty tyrait worshipped the bruins image, mow no
more, there Were many *was in England where the
publican who dare take is the Courier was sure to lose
his license. Mn led the van then at all the Jacobin
meetings; but now the ease ii altered, and the L'clair
blues ! But tills 11111 say for him, he don't belong
to the Slop bang, although, a Intim, maul! There is
another grievance Connected with this subject. Pablo
.}Towel-are infeited with a set of Spies sent out by the
,Slop (hag and others; some dressed in decent clothes
fetes theiselves tote society, add in order to irritate
the feelings of the miipany not unfrequently boast of
the glorious tendency of as Asseilation to put down
blasphemy nod promote loyalty; and the increase of an
infamous weekly print. la fact they try every meals
to make a prey of the unwary. Publicans are there-
fore recommended hi watch that fellows narrowly,
and give thenl a friendly hint, that their absence would
be eallideved *svelte*: company. There are a variety
of other topics coadmiSed with 'the interests of the
Limnied Victialler, few the introduction of which I
shall again trespass on your partiality to the cause of
the Licensed 'Victuallers.
Leather-Mali, "opt. Ii 1811.

lIARNABY BUNG.

Witsca of rue Bain Moults PAcsite—in the narra-
tive of the asidauchAy less of the Eail Moira packet, it
*al hated that between six and seven o'clock on the
morning of tbe awkl eataetrophe, a gentleman courage-
ously' planed late the sea; In the bops of reaching the
'shore by stilthalug, and procuring assiltance fdr the
minium et the wreck. When sue wrote that narrative
we *ere mane to state whether he bad been so ferm-
ata* aloe meth the kW, although we. deemed it bat
.110.11014hht thee inked petiehed is the bold and- be-
;ekelt.lesive have slice kayoed that this wai the
""wir"billoaose crywwaassUarun.: lab:entail;
Week we, 'Mired at St. Mary's Church, &Igo
Coefiev.)