known, in the early days of the colony, to name himself a
price for the article he wanted, fixing it as high again as would
otherwise have been required of him. When the few boat-builders and
shipwrights in the colony had leisure, they employed themselves in
building boats for those that would pay them their price, namely, five
or six gallons of spirits. It could be no matter of surprise that boats
made by workmen so paid should be badly put together, and scarcely
seaworthy.

[102] Whatever may be the improvement of the middling and upper classes,
_nationally speaking_ the passion for strong liquor continues to bear
sway in the British islands to a deplorable extent. Lord Ashley has
stated in the House of Commons during the present session, 1843, that
there is good authority for estimating our annual consumption of
spirituous liquors at twenty-five millions sterling! Compare the _gross_
amount of the revenues of the English Church, about four millions, and
those of the _poor_ Kirk of Scotland, the _plundered_ Church of Ireland,
and the "voluntary" efforts of the hundred and one sects of Dissenters,
together with those of the Romish Church:--and what is the result?
Probably, nearly three times as much is spent in these islands upon
spirituous liquors as the whole cost of religious instruction of every
kind amounts to!

[103] Dr. Lang's opinion here is, however, confirmed by Judge Burton;
see p. 7 of his work on Education and Religion in New South Wales.

[104] Account of Colony of New South Wales, p. 235.

But, however commonly the standard of value might be measured by
spirituous liquors, yet it is evident that these, being themselves
procurable for money, could not altogether supersede the desire of money
itself. Hence arose those numerous acts of theft and depredation, that
improvident thirst after present gain, that total disregard of future
consequences by which many of the first inhabitants of the colony were
disgraced and ruined. The contagion of evil example forced its way into
Government House, and the steward of Governor Hunter became an awful
instance of the mischief of bad society. Against this he had been often
cautioned by his master, but to no purpose, until at length he was
discovered abusing the unlimited confidence which had been placed in
him, and making use of the governor's name in a most iniquitous manner.
At this discovery the wretched victim of evil communicatio