[1] On the simplest level, Hogarth portrays the inhabitants of Gin Lane as destroyed by their addiction to the foreign spirit of gin, with shocking scenes of infanticide, starvation, madness, decay and suicide.
[2] Hogarth portrays the inhabitants of Beer Street as happy and healthy, nourished by the native English ale, with scenes of industry, health, bonhomie and thriving commerce.
The gin crisis was severe. From 1689 onward the English government encouraged the industry of distilling, as it helped prop up grain prices which were then low, and increase trade, particularly with England's colonial possessions. Imports of French wine and spirits were banned to encourage the industry at home.
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