The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-27

glass with the auring gold letter praises OF
. Rich Cordial Gin, only penny a glass -
Fine Old Tom -" Cream of the TaLsy. four.
pence aquatern;;" and other seductive appella-
uyes, suited to increase the thirsty appeites Of
their customers; and each declaring that "this'
IS the only place where the genuine article can
be obtained. These houses have usually two
or more folding doors, and that no impediment
may be IN the way OF the debililaled wretches
without the strength to turn latch, they are
prevented from shutting close by leather
stfap fastened on the inside 10 the lock and the
doorpos' which contrivance keeps them al
ways aJar, and assists the slightest push to op-
en- Them. The space allotted 10 the customers
IS comparatively small-perhaps sufficient
room Tor lhirty -fve or forty to stand and drink
III al tlme. they are not allowed 70 have
any sitting down place beyond sometimes a
short bench. And still from early in the morn
ing ill twelve O'Clock at night-when they
usually close, unless in the neghborhood Of q
theatre or cab stand and always before il strikes
on Saturday, or risk the loss OF their license
you will find crowd of tattered, depraved-
looking men and women--chiefy the latter
Of all ages, from ten years old TO eighiy--tna-
ny with children in their arms--lingering round
the doors, 10 the hope that after they have spent
all they have just got by stealing or begging,
some Pal may come in and ''sland treat" OF
course at these places they sell wines and all
kinds OF spirits, and malt liquors, bur Gin is
the staple commodity; and, that you may think
SO, 10 the back ground are rows Of enormous
painted hogsheads, with gold hopes and other
decorations. marked from two hundred and fif-
ty to SIX hundred gallons! A sort OF Toby AL
spice hint In the old comedy Don't spare
the pickles, there are plenty in the shop"
Pretty understanding girls, with the landlady
dressed to death-all over rings and things and
fine array"-allend behind the bar. And
there, from morning till night, from day TO day,
for years, they are surrounded by reverend
ing scene Of bloated, beastly depravi,y, in ev-
cry revolving shape to which disease, crime
and poverty, can reduce the mind aud BODY.
A single glance at this animated mass of misery
makes you shudder to think that you are also
a human being with the same erring liabilities.
Yet such is the power of habit, that these
young women appear-and have no doubt
are-uncOnscious OF the horrors which they
continually look on, and hear with apparent
indifference never-ceasing expressions, either
in love or anger, too disgusting to be imagined.
Il IS remarkable that in these dens of lntamy,
where you can have dozen notorious thieves
pointed out to you at any hour of the day, We
ry few disturbances take place. When al p,or
wretch gets noisy, and has no more money TO
spend, he, or she, is pitched into the street by
the landlord or his pot-boys, and dragged 10
the S,ation-house by the policemen, always
in attendance in such neighborhoods; and the
next morning, very prob,bly, sent for month
to the house OF correction, 10 be returned "a
gain upon society, if possible, still more de-
graded in character, and better educated in
crime. But no blame is ever attached to the
first cause of the evil. The duty on the poison,
and the cost for selling it., are necessary for the
support OF the government and the good lady,
with large and increasing family, at the head
of il; and the Gin palace goes on painting and
gliding. and flourlshing red and blue letters in
the eyes of poor famislling wretches-wi,h no
other solace in the world lhan---'sRich cordial
Gin, only one penny glass;" while in few
years, the landlord retires on fortune, and is
probably made Church Warden, or (ftting
office !! an Overseer Of the Poor!
Western Continent.