How great was the debauchery of the age may be seen, not alone from the statistics here given, but it may be read in the pages of contemporary history. Those who have perused accounts of the parliamentary debates, or the published notices and correspondence of the time, know into what a deplorable condition the lower and middle classes were fallen, and how openly they were tempted to still lower depths of depravity. That announcements were hung out before the gin-shops informing passers-by that they could get drunk for a penny, and dead drunk for twopence, and that when they were in the desired state, clean straw would be gratuitously provided for them in convenient cellars, has become a matter of history.[282] So also the fact that the inducements to drink which were so generously offered were as readily accepted, and the state of the city of London became so dangerous and disgraceful, that at length the Grand Jury of Middlesex made a presentment asking the Legislature for repressive measures. It was then that Sir Joseph Jekyll introduced and carried through Parliament the famous “Gin Act,” of which the following is a copy:— “Whereas the excessive drinking of spirituous liquors by the common people tends not only to the destruction of their health and the debauching of their morals, but to the public ruin; “For remedy thereof— “Be it enacted, that from September 29th no person shall presume, by themselves or any others employed by them, to sell or retail any brandy, rum, arrack, usquebaugh, geneva, aqua vitæ, or any other distilled spirituous liquors, mixed or unmixed, in any less quantity than two gallons, without first taking out a license for that purpose within ten days at least before they sell or retail the same; for which they shall pay down £50, to be renewed ten days before the year expires, paying the like sum, and in case of neglect to forfeit £100, such licenses to be taken out within the limits of the penny post at the chief office of Excise, London, and at the next office of Excise for the country. And be it enacted that for all such spirituous liquors as any retailers shall be possessed of on or after September 29th, 1736, there shall be paid a duty of 20s. per gallon, and so in proportion for a greater or lesser quantity above all other duties charged on the same. “The collecting the rates by this Act imposed to be under the management of the commissioners and officers of Excise by all the Excise laws now in force (except otherwise provided by this Act), and all moneys arising by the said duties or licenses for sale thereof shall be paid into the receipt of His Majesty’s Exchequer distinctly from other branches of the public revenue; one moiety of the fines, penalties, and forfeitures to be paid to His Majesty and successors, the other to the person who shall inform on any one for the same.”