41 UA-58907690-1
41
There
are
two
strengths
only,
at
which
the
Rec-
tifier
sends
this
article
of
unsweetened
Gin
from
his
stock
;
these
are
seventeen,
and
twenty-two
per
cent,
underproof;
and,
as
any
variation
from
them
would
only occasion
a
proportionate
alteration
in
price,
none
is
ever
made.
The
cause,
which
pro-
duced
the
seeming
inconsistency,
of
having
these
two
strengths
in
particular,
was
as
follows:
The
first
Act
of
Parliament
relating
to
this
sub-
ject,
provided,
that
British
Brandy,
Gin,
and
all
liquors
under
the
head
of
Compounds,
should
not
exceed
in
strength
twenty-two
per
cent,
underproof,
and
a
penalty
was
inflicted
on
persons
selling
it
at
any
higher
rate
of
strength.
Subsequently,
however,
another
Act
was
passed,
which
altered
the
limitation
to
seventeen
per
cent,
underproof;
thus,
making
the
article
of
unsweetened
Gin
saleable,
at
a
degree
five
per
cent,
stronger.
But,
the
traders
generally
having
become
accustomed
to
buy
their
Gin
at
twenty-two
per
cent,
underproof,
and
the
penalty
attaching
only
on
the
Spirit
being
sold
at
a
higher
per
centage
than
laid
down
in
the
last
Act,
both
strengths
are
retained,
in
order
to
suit
the
choice
of
the
purchaser,
though
by
far
the
greater
proportion,
is
still
disposed
of,
at
twenty-two
per
cent,
underproof.
With
Gin,
after
it
is
sweetened,
no
restriction,
as
to
any
particular
strength,
continues
to
prevail,
as
it
then
constitutes,
what
is
termed
Cordial,
or
sweetened
Gin,
it
cannot
be
tried
by
the
hy-