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Given its affordability and availability, gin quickly transitioned from a noble’s drink to one deeply associated with poverty. The infamous narrative surrounding Judith Defour, a woman hanged for a crime committed under the influence of gin, showcases societal attitudes regarding the spirit during this spiraling time.
The Shift in Public Perception
Max articulates how public perception began shifting dramatically by the 1750s. Engravings by William Hogarth starkly contrasted the lives of those enjoying beer versus the destitution often experienced by gin drinkers. This playful yet dark approach sparked legislative reforms, eventually reigning in the gin trade and contributing to its decline in favor.