The New Sunday Liquor Law Vindicated

Name: The New Sunday Liquor Law Vindicated
Author: James Ewing Ritchie

This work presents a defense of the Sunday liquor law, arguing that it has been beneficial to society by reducing drunkenness and promoting public order. The author contends that the law has helped to create a more respectable and moral community.

By James Ewing Ritchie · First published 1869 · Genre: Political Commentary, Social Criticism, Non-Fiction · 2,788 words

First lines

AN Act came into operation in August, denominated "The New Beer Bill," requiring public-houses to be closed on Sundays, with the exception of the hours 1 to 3 p.m., and 6 to 10 p.m. No sooner was it passed than it was found there was a great decrease in the number of cases of persons charged with drunkenness at the various police stations of the metropolis. Monday, instead of being a heavy day, was the reverse-the magistrates had little or nothing to do. But this great public good was not brought about without inconveniencing some parties. The publicans felt their craft was in danger,-that they were, as Benjamin Disraeli informed them the other day at Plymouth, "in a critical situation; " and that if they acquiesced in the law, the result would be most unsatisfactory, pecuniarily, to themselves. Accordingly, they have banded themselves into one compact Defence Association-they have taken sweet counsel together-they have organised an opposition all over the land. Whether they have acted wisely is another matter: with the evidence just published in two enormous Blue Books, I think silence would become them better. And so thought the knowing ones in the trade when they accepted the new Bill instead of one that would have been harsher still. The opponents of the Bill-publicans by-the-bye-thus speak of it: Mr. Luce of Hampton Court, "thinks it a despotic and tyrannical Bill. " According to a Mr. Symes, "it is directed against all recreation on Sundays-all relaxation after the toils of the week. " Mr. Palmer said, "The Bill ought to be called the Liberty of the Subject and Licensed Victuallers' Liberty Curtailment Bill. " I take these extracts from the report of a great meeting in Drury Lane in September. Mr. Lyne, also a publican, writes in the _Daily News_, that "since the curfew bell there never was a measure which produced such general discontent.

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The New Sunday Liquor Law Vindicated is listed on Textopian as an essay by James Ewing Ritchie, dated 1869 CE.

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Work type: Essay
Author: James Ewing Ritchie
Date: 1869 CE
Language: English
Genres: Political Commentary, Social Criticism, Non-Fiction, Historical, Legal
Length: 2,788 words
Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Political Commentary — The text discusses the implications of a new law, its impact on society, and the political reactions to it.
Social Criticism — The work critiques societal behaviors and attitudes towards alcohol consumption and public policy.
Non-Fiction — The content is factual, discussing real events and legislation without fictional elements.
Historical — The text provides insight into the historical context of 19th-century British society and its legal framework.