CHAP. XV.


_Of several pernicious Ingredients put into Malt Liquors to encrease their
Strength_.


Malt Liquors, as well as several others, have long lain under the
disreputation of being adulterated and greatly abused by avaricious and
ill-principled People, to augment their Profits at the Expence of the
precious Health of human Bodies, which, tho' the greatest Jewel in Life,
is said to be too often lost by the Deceit of the Brewer, and the
Intemperance of the Drinker: This undoubtedly was one, and I believe the
greatest, of the Lord _Bacon's_ Reasons for saying, he thought not one
_Englishman_ in a thousand died a natural Death. Nor is it indeed to be
much wondered at, when, according to Report, several of the Publicans make
it their Business to study and practise this Art, witness what I am afraid
is too true, that some have made use of the _Coculus India_ Berry for
making Drink heady, and saving the Expence of Malt; but as this is a
violent Potion by its narcotick stupifying Quality, if taken in too large
a degree, I hope this will be rather a prevention of its use than an
invitation, it being so much of the nature of the deadly Nightshade, that
it bears the same Character; and I am sure the latter is bad enough; for
one of my Neighbour's Brothers was killed by eating its Berries that grow
in some of our Hedges, and so neatly resembles the black Cherry, that the
Boy took the wrong for the right.