Quote
Green and Little, two active Custom House Officers of this port, have discovered another Depot this week, of contraband goods, in the lodgings of the French market-women; consisting of a large quantity of the finest pieces of silk, of various colours, and sixteen tin cases made with the utmost ingenuity, to fit the human shape, each filled with a half gallon of cogniac. — We trust these discoveries will tend to put a stop to this illicit traffic; but the vending of French silk goods, would be soon annihilated, if our fair countrywomen would determine to wear no article, but of British manufacture; and the present extensive illicit trade in silk goods, enriches our natural enemies, at the expense of hundreds of deserving British manufacturers, who are almost starving for want of employment.
A seizure of 500 kegs of spirits has this week been made in Langston Harbour.
— Hampshire Chronicle, Monday 11 March 1816 source
This amused me. Pay no attention to the cognac… or the swimming pool quantities of spirits… if only women would stop buying expensive silks, all would be right with the world.