In the late 1600s, the English government encouraged the distillation of alcoholic spirits and also banned the importation of French wines and spirits. This had the effect of making gin the favourite drink of the poorer classes as it was copiously available at a very cheap price. London and other cities became inundated with Gin Houses selling their cheap liquor, which as a result of the lack of regulatory control varied enormously in terms of taste and quality; with turpentine used to dilute it on occasion. Widespread debauchery, debasement and social problems ensued.

By 1736 the problems caused by excessive consumption of gin became so severe that the English government decided to act with new taxes in The Gin Act. Here is what The Gentleman’s Magazine had to say about the new act: In the year 1736, a proposal was submitted to the house of commons for laying such a duty on distilled spirituous liquors as might prevent the ill consequences of the poorer sort drinking them to excess, whereon it takes occasion to adduce the following fact: We have observed some signs, where such liquors are retailed, with the following inscriptions, Drunk for a penny, dead drunk for two pence, clean straw for nothing.

Unfortunately, the gin act did little to improve the situation and gin production went underground with various measures employed to avoid the punitive tax. Since the gin act did not reduce gin consumption or associated criminality the tax was gradually reduced and finally abolished in 1741, but the problem remained for many years.

William Hogarth portrayed the scourge of gin admirably in his 1751 print Gin Lane:

Gin, cursed Fiend, with Fury fraught,

Makes human Race a Prey.

It enters by a deadly Draught

And steals our Life away.

Virtue and Truth, driven to Despair

Its Rage compels to fly,

But cherishes with hellish Care

Theft, Murder, Perjury.

Damned Cup! That on the Vitals preys

That liquid Fire contains,

Which Madness to the heart conveys,

And rolls it thro’ the Veins.

At the same time, Hogarth issued a companion print Beer Street, which illustrated the far more healthy pursuit of drinking beer, a point of view with which I wholeheartedly agree.



Beer, happy Produce of our Isle

Can sinewy Strength impart,

And wearied with Fatigue and Toil

Can cheer each manly Heart.

Labour and Art upheld by Thee

Successfully advance,

We quaff Thy balmy Juice with Glee

And Water leave to France.

Genius of Health, thy grateful Taste

Rivals the Cup of Jove,

And warms each English generous Breast

With Liberty and Love!