from hence it partly is, that we meet with such hodge-podge Ales and
Beers, as are not only disagreeable in Taste and Foulness, but indeed
unwholsome to the Body of Man, for as it is often drank thick and voided
thin, the Feces or gross part must in my Opinion remain behind in some
degree. Now what the Effects of that may be, I must own I am not Physician
enough to explain, but shrewdly suspect it may be the Cause of Stones,
Colicks, Obstructions, and several other Chronical Distempers; for if we
consider that the sediments of Malt-liquors are the refuse of a corrupted
Grain, loaded with the igneous acid Particles of the Malt, and then again
with the corrosive sharp Particles of the Yeast, it must consequently be
very pernicious to the _British_ human Body especially, which certainly
suffers much from the animal Salts of the great Quantities of Flesh that
we Eat more than People of any other Nation whatsoever; and therefore are
more then ordinarily obligated not to add the scorbutick mucilaginous
Qualities of such gross unwholsome Particles, that every one makes a
lodgment of in their Bodies, as the Liquors they drink are more or less
thick; for in plain Truth, no Malt-liquor can be good without it's fine.
The late Curious _Simon Harcourt_ Esq; of _Penly_, whom I have had the
honour to drink some of his famous _October_ with, thought the true Art of
Brewing of such Importance, that it is said to Cost him near twenty Pounds
to have an old Days-man taught it by a _Welch_ Brewer, and sure it was
this very Man exceeded all others in these Parts afterwards in the Brewing
of that which he called his October_ Beer. So likewise in _London_ they
lay such stress on this Art, that many have thought it worth their while
to give one or two hundred Guineas with an Apprentice: This Consideration
also made an Ambassador give an extraordinary Encouragement to one of my
Acquaintance to go over with him, that was a great Master of this Science.
But notwithstanding all that can be said that relates to this Subject,
there are so many Incidents attending Malt-liquors, that it has puzled
several expert Men to account for their difference, though brewed by the