By the early 19th century, encouraged by lower duties on gin, the gin houses or "Gin Palaces" had spread from London to most cities and towns in Britain, with most of the new establishments illegal and unlicensed. These bawdy, loud and unruly drinking dens so often described by Charles Dickens in his Sketches by Boz (published 1835–1836) increasingly came to be held as unbridled cesspits of immorality or crime and the source of much ill-health and alcoholism among the working classes. COUNT 5
QSN1 In what century did gin houses proliferate throughout Britain? ANS1 19th QSN2 What book by Dickens described activities in drinking establishments? ANS2 Sketches by Boz QSN3 Over what two-year period was Sketches by Boz written? ANS3 1835–1836 QSN4 What was another name for gin houses early in the 19th century? ANS4 "Gin Palaces" QSN5 In what British city did gin houses first appear? ANS5 London