es of the Peace for the County of
Middlesex, having, in pursuance of an order of a former Quarter
Session, made an inquiry into the houses and places where Geneva and
other such pernicious distilled liquors are sold by retail, about this
time made their report; by which it appears, to the great surprise and
concern of those who have the trade and welfare of the public truly
at heart, that there are in the limits of Westminster, Holborn, the
Tower, and Finsbury divisions (exclusive of London and Southwark)
7,044 houses and shops, where the said liquors are publicly sold by
retail, (which in several parishes, is computed to be, at least, every
sixth house,) besides what is privately sold in garrets, cellars,
back-rooms, and other private places.

"That of this number, no less than 2,105 are unlicensed; and that
Geneva is now sold, not only by distillers and Geneva shops, but by
above 80 other inferior trades; particularly chandlers, weavers,
tobacconists, shoemakers, carpenters, barbers, tailors, dyers,
labourers, &c. &c.; there being in the Hamlets of Bethnal Green,
upwards of 90 weavers who sell this liquor."

"_JANUARY 20TH_, 1736." G.K.

* * * * *

THE DEATH OF ADAM.

(_FROM THE GERMAN._)

When Adam was nine hundred and thirty years old, he felt in himself
the word of the judge, "Thou shalt die." Then spoke Adam to the
weeping Eve: "Let my sons come before me, that I may see and may bless
them." They all came at their father's word, and stood before him,
many hundred in number, and prayed for his life. "Who among you," said
the old man, "will go to the holy mountain? Very likely he may
find pity for me, and bring to me the fruit of the tree of life."
Immediately, all his sons offered themselves; and Seth, the most
pious, was chosen by his father for the message. He besprinkled his
head with ashes, hastened, and delayed not, until he stood before
the gate of Paradise. Then prayed he, "Let my father find pity,
kind-hearted one, and send to him fruit from the tree of life."
Quickly there stood the glittering cherub, and instead of the tree of
life, he held a twig of three leaves in his hand. "Carry this to thy
father," said he, friendly, "his last consolation is here; for eternal
life dwells not on the earth." Swiftly hastened Seth, threw himself
down, and said, "No fruit of the tree of life bring I to thee,
my father, only this twig has the angel given me, to be thy last
con