l8o4» Original Letter from Mr Cockhurn of Onn'ijlon, 439 



prefTure of bulmers prevents him from invcfligating the arguments 

 iifed, with that attention which their importance deferves. He 

 muil remark, however, that the value of labour is kldom, if 

 ever, regulated by the price of provilions, but generally, if not 

 always, by the quatitity of labour prefented in the market, com- 

 pared with the demand which appears for it. So far from labour 

 being increafed in value by a rife upon the price of provifions, 

 the fatt is, that the latter circumllance uniformly contributes to 

 render labour of lefs value. When provifions rife above par, tlie 

 mod of people mull work more than ufual before they are able 

 to purchafe an ordinary fupply of food ; and others, who in a 

 great meafure would remain idle, are then neceflitated to work fo 

 as they may live ; which circumltances throw more labour into the 

 market, and ferve to reduce its value, unlefs a proportionable in- 

 creafe of demand appears for the extra quantity of labour that is 

 then prefented. 



As exprefled in a former note, we are decidedly hoftile to every 

 attempt which may be made to regulate the value of labour ; 

 therefore, we are clear that labourers and artizans of every de- 

 fcription iliould enjoy full liberty to bring their labour to market, 

 there to fell it at the highell price which can be procured. This 

 by no means fubjeds the purchafers to pay a higher price than 

 may by them be confidered as fair and reafonable ; for if the pur- 

 chafer is a judge, he will never confent to give more than market 

 value. The anecdote given by our refpe^lable correfpondent of 

 his two mafons, illuftrates what is in our view, better than any 

 thing which we at this time can recollect. N. 



FOR THE FARMER S MAGAZINE. 



Original Letter frem John CoMurn^ Efq. of Ormijlon^ to Alexander 

 Wight^ one of his Tenants y dated Tottejiham^ near London y i^jth' 

 December 1726. 



Alexander, 



Some days ago, I received yours of 30th November, which is 

 the firft I have had from you, or any of your neiglibours, of a 

 long time. My wife returns thanks to yours for the receipt for 

 making of (larch ; and, as we are farmers here, (lie fays there is 

 no receipt which (he, as a fifter farmer's wife, can return, but 

 i\\t fhall be glad to fend. I did not fend the book about flax, as 

 I recommended •, for it makes the profit fo extravagant, that it 

 is not to be minded. But I read all fuch books ; and if I meet 

 with one ufeful thought, I throw away all the relt ; and don't 

 grudge my trouble in reading a vaft deal of Huff, if I find any 



F f 3 t]iii))j 



