July 1789

"The Society hope that it may be judged of sufficient importance
"by the Magistrates acting as Justices in the County of Middlesex to
"induce them to discountenance this practice, by requiring, at the time
"of the general renewal of Licences, that such Pay Tables to no longer
"allowed in the Public Houses within their respective Jurisdictions.

"The Society also request that you will be pleased to communicate
"their wishes, together with the Papers inclosed, to the Chairman of the
"Quarter Sessions, at the laster and Midsummer Session next ensuing.

"I am, Sir,
"Your Etc.

"By Order of the Committee
"Samuel Bennett< no role > Sec."

"London
"April 6th. 1789.

"I am desired by the Committee of that Society, of
"which You are a Member, to acquaint you, that they have, among
"Other things, taken into their serious consideration the Mischievfs and
"arising from the practice of paying Labourers and Artificers their
"Weekly Wages at a Publick House.

"The consequences of putting money into the Hands of these
"poor Men with such a temptation before them to make a very improper
"use of it, the Committee take it for granted, will strike you at the first
"view, but they are desirous of stating to you the evil effects of this practice
"as they are represented by one of the Societys Correspondents, who has long
"been an eye witness of what he so forcibly describes.

"The workmen" he says "are obliged, for the good of the House
"to wait a considerable time before the Master makes his Appearance
"they cannot sit there without drinking; they are led on by degrees, till
"they are detained to a very late hour, before they return to their
"Families: and thus their Wives and Children are neglected: the
"purchase of Necessaries is deferred till Sunday morning; the Father
"of the family lies in Bed, the Mother goes to Market; the Childrens