By J. EWING RITCHIE. LONDON: WILLIAM TWEEDIE, 337, STRAND. 1855. THE PUBLIC-HOUSE TRADE AS IT IS: OR AN EPITOME OF THE EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE A COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN THE Parliamentary Sessions of 1853–4. BY J. EWING RITCHIE....

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 bro