additional burden, and must be supported through a miserable life by that labour which they cannot share, and must be protected by that community of which they cannot contribute to the defence.[215] Notwithstanding volleys of violent opposition, especially from the Bishops, the Bill was carried: sixty per cent. of the House voting in its favour. The law was again relaxed. Parliament was overwhelmed with petitions which were the expression of a disappointed philanthropy. The petitions of the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London, state, ‘that the common and habitual use of spirituous liquors by the lower ranks of people, prevails to such a degree, that _it destroys the health, strength, and industry of the poor of both sexes and all ages, inflames them with rage and barbarity, and occasions frequent robberies and murders in the streets of the Metropolis_.’ The petition from the Minister and Churchwardens of St. Martin’s, Westminster, recites that in consequence of the low price of spirits, their use has become excessive--‘the substance of the people is wasted--idleness and disorder have taken the place of industry--and robberies and murders are committed under their influence.’ The petition from Bristol states, ‘that the bad effects of spirituous liquors have become apparent in the destruction of the habits of the people--corrupting their morals, and rendering them incapable of manly employments’--reducing them to poverty, _and hardening them to the commission of crimes of the utmost enormity_. That of the Merchants adds--‘commerce was injured.’ These crowds of petitions almost universally affirm that the _great increase in the number of Gin-shops, and the low price of the article_, were the causes of its excessive use _amongst the lower orders_. On these representations, the House again resolved ‘That it was necessary to regulate the sale of spirits by retail.’ Measures were adopted for the _suppression of smuggling_, and the celebrated Tippling Act was passed.[216] By this Act, no persons could recover for the price of spirits sold in less quantities than 20_s._ at one time. But just in proportion as spirits were rendered legally inaccessible, appetite was diverted into the channel of beer. The rent was made possibly worse. Hitherto it had been necessary to impose restrictions upon the article sold; now the vendor must furnish guarantees. The 26th of the same George, after declaring former laws to be defective and insufficient, required the justices, when they granted licences, to take the recognisances of the _persons_ licensed in 10_l._, and two sureties of 5_l._, for _good conduct_, with other restrictions.