The extreme misery of the lowest description of Londoners received some amelioration, about 1750, through the commendable inquiries and remedies made and applied by the Legislature, relating to their monstrous excesses in drinking ardent spirits. The evidence given before a Committee is too interesting to be omitted; yet it is a disgusting and melancholy picture of London, as it was at that date. An eminent Physician to one of our Hospitals gave the following information: "That the increase of patients in all the hospitals from 1704 to 1718, being 14 years, the total increase was from 5612 to 8189, which was somewhat above one-fourth; that from 1718 to 1734, being 16 years, the total increase was from 8189 to 12,710, or perhaps 13,000, which was above one-third; but that from 1734 to 1749, being 15 years, the total increase was from 12,710 to 38,147, which was near three times the number." Being asked his opinion, whence he apprehended so great an increase could arise, he answered from the melancholy consequences of Gin-drinking principally; which opinion he enforced with such strong reasons (in which he was supported by another eminent Physician to one of the Hospitals) as gave full conviction to the house. It appeared by the evidence of John Wyburn, of Whitechapel, and John Rogers, of Trinity-lane, both of whom had followed the trade of bakers for 30 years: "that the consumption of bread amongst the poor was greatly diminished since the excessive drinking of Gin, which would proportionably increase again as that vice abated; that the poor laid out their earnings in gin, which ought to purchase them bread for themselves and families; and that, in many of the out-parts, the bakers were obliged to cut their loaves into halfpenny-worths, a practice unknown to the trade till gin was so universally drank by the poor." It appeared "that one house in seven, from the Hermitage to Bell-wharf, was a gin-shop: it appeared there were about 16,000 houses in the City of London, and that there were about 1050 licences granted yearly to victuallers, which was about one house to fifteen." "It appeared by the evidence of the High Constable of Westminster, that there were in that City about 17,000 houses, of which 1300 licenced, and 900 unlicenced that sold liquors, which was about one house in eight. "It appeared by the evidence of the High Constable of Holborn, that there were in his division 7066 houses, of which 1350 licenced and unlicenced, being about one house in five and a quarter. That in St. Giles's there were about 2000 houses and 506 gin-shops, being above one house in four; besides about 82 twopenny-houses of the greatest infamy, where gin was the principal liquor drank." Hateful as the subject is, its ramifications spread, though rather softened, into higher scenes of life. Cordials, _alias_ drams, were not _quite_ unknown to the ladies; it was almost noon--