"  The  evils  of  the  system  again  invoked  the  attention  of  the  British
public  in  1819,  and  gave  rise  to  an  interesting  debate  in  parliament. The

gt>priety  of  its  continuance  was  discussed  by  such  men  as  Lyttletoo,
oxton,  Wilberforce,  Canning,  and  Castlerea^h. The  whole  subject
was  passed  in  review — its  erroneous  policy — its  irremediable  mischiefs —
its  sure  tendencies  and  ascertained  results — but  all  gave  way  to  its
invincible  necessity  as  a  means  of  revenue. The  committee  of  1808  had
disclosed  one  pregnant  and  overwhelming  fact,  which  furnished  to
various  arguments  a  convincing  and  unanswerable  reply. It  was  ascer-
tained that,  if  the  lottery  were  abolished,  the  increased  consumption  of
exciseable  articles  would  more  than  supply  its  loss  to  the  treasury. In
vindication  of  the  system,  the  chancellor,  it  is  alleged,  assumed  a  posi-
tion which  is  irreconcilable  with  all  correct  principles  of  government,
and  every  sound  notion  of  ethics. He  is  said  to  have  asserted  that  there
was  always  floating;  in  society  a  given  quantity  of  vicious  inclinations,
which  he  had  a  right  to  turn  to  the  best  account — that,  as  the  spirit  or
gambling  was  rife,  it  was  justifiable,  in  finance,  to  make  it  ancillary  to
the  public  burthens. It  is  not  easy  to  decide  whether  such  a  sentiment
is  more  incompatible  with  policy,  considered  merely  as  a  matter  of  profit,
or  at  variance  with  the  plain  principles  of  morality. Shall  we  pamper
vices  because  they  exist  !  Is  it  enlightened  prudence  or  true  virtue  to
hold  out  lures  to  the  simple,  the  ignorant,  and  the  credulous,  which,  if
successful,  must  debase  their  characters,  and  render  them  dishonest
citizens  or  dependent  paupers?  But  without  formally  controverting  a
dogma  which  teaches  such  erroneous  doctrines,  we  may  leave  it  to  the
silent  reflection  of  the  philanthropist,  satisfied  that  he  will  discard  it  as
imsoiind,  false,  and  illiberal. In  1823  the  lottery  was  again  sought  to  be
propagated,  but  the  tide  of  popular  favour  had  so  violently  set  against  it
as  to  require  the  salvo  that  it  was  proposed  for  the  last  time. 