Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/217

Rh or two, more ingenious than the rest, conftss they are driven to adopt the fraudulent practice, because they do not themselves receive measure from the brewers. A late writer has exposed this matter fully, (and much praise is due to him for the exposition) by giving the particular modes in which the butts are so rendered deficient in their contents, which ought to be one hundred and eight gallons each, whereof two are expected to be ullage, or bottom. But Welby King says, he has measured butts out of which only ninety-nine gallons of proper porter could be drawn; and we understand, that through his representations, many cask-alterations have taken place,—though not to the full extent of the complaint.

What can the poor publican do? Should he complain, he loses his licence, if the brewer has the ear of the magistrates, as we have seen proved. That is, if he holds a free house, and the brewer holds the lease, and with it the customary "warrant of attorney," Messrs. Brewer and Co. enter