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"effectual Way of removing those "Nusances, that have been so long "a Grievance and Scandal to the "Inhabitants of this Metropolis, heretofore esteemed the best go"verned City in the Universe.” Whether this well intended Bill ever appeared, I am not certain-I fear not. However, I hope, the noble Defign will foon be revived, and take Place. And as it is fo notorious, that the whole Kingdom abounds with the fame Nufances, every well Wifher to the Profperity and Honour of this Country, would be exceeding glad to fee the fame Methods made general, and vigorously pursued for removing thefe alfo, that the whole Nation, as well as its Metropolis,

might

might appear to be the best governed one in the World. So many Alehouses cannot but be an Offence against the Publick, as being commonly Nurseries of all Sorts of Wickedness and Mischief. And I find in Wood's Inftitutes of the Laws of England, that when set up where there is no Occafion for them (as Multitudes of them are) they are real Nufances, and the Owners of them may be indicted and fined.

It is well known, that the true Ufe and Defign of Inns and Alehouses, is for Lodging and Relief of Travellers; and our Market Towns (plentifully stocked with them) ftand fo near together, as to want little or

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no Affiftance for this Purpose. What Need can there be then for our Roads being crowded with fo many Alehouses, and that hardly a poor Village fhould be found without everal, tho' it has no Manner of Occafion or Pretence for more than one, if there is really any for that? How to account for this, and the amazing Number of them, is entirely out of my Power, especially as the Legislature seems to have taken all poffible Care to have no more than are neceffary and useful. This fully appears

from 2GEO. II. C. 28. and 26GBO. II. Cap. 31. by which it is provided, that no Licence fhall be granted to any Perfon to keep a common Inn, or Alehouse, but at a general Meeting.

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of the Juftices acting in the Divifion where fuch Perfon dwells, that the faid Juftices might be truly informed as to the Occafion or Want of fuch Inns, or Alehouses, and the Characters of the Persons applying for Licences to keep the fame. And the Reafon alledged in thefe Acts for fuch Precautions is, because many Inconveniences have arisen from Perfons being licensed to keep Inns and common Alehouses, by Justices, who, living remote from the Places of Abode of fuch Perfons, may not truly be informed of the above important Particulars. And left unneceffary Houses should be encouraged, and set up by Perfons, who reap great Advantages from them.

-By

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-By the fame excellent Act of 26 GEO. II. Cap. 13. No Juftice of the Peace being a common Brewer of Ale, or Beer, Innkeeper, or Distiller, or a Seller of, or Dealer in Ale, or fpirituous Liquors, or interested in of the said Trades, or being a any Victualler, or Maltster, shall be capable, or have any Power to grant Licences for felling Ale, or Beer, or any other Liquors; but the fame fhall be void. In the midft then of fo many admirable, judicious ftri&t Laws, to prevent the bad Effects of fuperfluous Alehouses, we want an OEdipus to unriddle the Affair, and inform us how it comes about, that fuch incredible Numbers of them are found almoft in every Part

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