or six gallons of spirits. It could be no matter of surprise that boats made by workmen so paid should be badly put together, and scarcely seaworthy. [102] Whatever may be the improvement of the middling and upper classes, _nationally speaking_ the passion for strong liquor continues to bear sway in the British islands to a deplorable extent. Lord Ashley has stated in the House of Commons during the present session, 1843, that there is good authority for estimating our annual consumption of spirituous liquors at twenty-five millions sterling! Compare the _gross_ amount of the revenues of the English Church, about four millions, and those of the _poor_ Kirk of Scotland, the _plundered_ Church of Ireland, and the "voluntary" efforts of the hundred and one sects of Dissenters, together with those of the Romish Church:--and what is the result? Probably, nearly three times as much is spent in these islands upon spirituous liquors as the whole cost of religious instruction of every kind amounts to! [103] Dr. Lang's opinion here is, however, confirmed by Judge Burton; see p. 7 of his work on Education and Religion in New South Wales. [104] Account of Colony of New South Wales, p. 235. But, however commonly the standard of value might be measured by spirituous liquors, yet it is evident that these, being themselves procurable for money, could not altogether supersede the desire of money itself. Hence arose those numerous acts of theft and depredation, that improvident thirst after present gain, that total disregard of future consequences by which many of the first inhabitants of the colony were disgraced and ruined. The contagion of evil example forced its way into Government House, and the steward of Governor Hunter became an awful instance of the mischief of bad society. Against this he had been often cautioned by his master, but to no purpose, until at length he was discovered abusing the unlimited confidence which had been placed in him, and making use of the governor's name in a most iniquitous manner. At this discovery the wretched victim of evil communication retired to a shrubbery in his master's garden, and shot himself through the head.