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genuine. I would, however, strongly advise the addition of a
sufficiency of salt to the dough. No. 14 only contains 0.09 per
cent. instead of 0.5 or ½ per cent. When we remember that bread
is the staple food of children, it is the more necessary that we
should not leave them the option of taking or refusing so essential
an element of healthy life.
So far, I have only examined four specimens of Butted., and one
of these was adulterated.
Lemonades, two in number, were of fair quality, and well
aerated. A sample of Ginger Beer contained a distinct trace of
lead. The mode of cleansing bottles with shot, especially wine
bottles, is very objectionable; and lead will be found more
frequently in wines than in any other beverage.
Of Alcoholic Drinks I have but little to report. A sample of
Porter was very good. The Wine,—a cheap "Port,"—contained
32 per cent. of proof spirit, and was "plastered" as much as any
ordinary Sherry.
Tea, for obvious reasons, has not been looked into. One sample
was of common quality, but genuine. The leaves were indeed
much broken, and I found no less than 13 per cent. of twigs. It
was a fair illustration of the want of instruction on the part of the
Public, as an educated eye would at once have rejected it. If a
Museum of common things were attached to every Board-school, it
would prove of very great advantage to the rising generation.
I have also analyzed some infused Coffee as sold in the streets,
and, except as to the poverty of tho Milk, I found it as good as
that which is retailed at the Crystal Palace. A Cocoa was especially
rich in Sugar and Starch, and contained very little Cocoa; but, as it
was sold as "Prepared Cocoa," I can assert that it answered to its
title.
The Mustards (2), Vinegars (3), and Pickles (4), were of fair
quality. One Pickle, No. 26, contained a trace of Copper, but not
in quantity to be more than an accident.
Lastly, samples respectively of Arrowroot (2), Pepper, Cake,
and Sweets, have been examined without much result.
In bringing my Report to a conclusion, I would express my
conviction that the system of adulteration is not nearly so extensive