In a period when alcoholic drinks were cheap, while water supplies were often contaminated, ale, wine and spirits were drunk in large quantities by people of all classes. The poster here is for different kinds of beer, including London stout and porter. However, by the early 19th century attitudes to alcohol were changing, particularly within 'respectable' society. The 'demon drink' was blamed for violent behaviour, loose morals and poverty, especially amongst the working classes. Local temperance and teetotal (or total abstinence) societies were established from the early 1830's. Public meetings were held, alternatives to alcoholic drinks promoted and pamphlets published. davidson's position on this issue appears to have been neutral, since he advertised alcoholic drinks and also issued tracts to spread the teetotal message.