[Martin Tell]

Since Hogarth's print "Gin Lane" and the companion "Beer Street" date from the 18th Century, there were no Bobbies or Peelers (both terms deriving from Robert Peel's efforts to put police on London's streets in the 1830s) around.

Hogarth's prints (actually political cartoons) are relevant to this discussion. Hogarth contrasted the virtues of a traditional "drug" (beer) with a new, dangerous, and foreign one (gin).

The British government proposed to ameliorate the pernicious effects of cheap gin on the lower classes (and incidentally raise some cash) by taxing the stuff.

Hogarth approved of the proposal.

[HiTech RedNeck]

What’s the rectangular confetti like stuff in the picture (for example, falling off the top of one of the background buildings).