4^^ Remarks on Forfrtallingy and the 0€tj 



fince the commencement of our harveft, four fifths of the crop 

 remains uncut, and fo much altered, both in quaUty and ap- 

 pearance, as to be incredible to any but thofe who have been 

 daily and attentive obfervers of the injury. 



In another paper, notice is taken of the account given of 

 the wheat crop, which is fbated as not exceeding two thirds 

 of an average crop ; a ftatement, fays the editor, given for 

 the exprcfs purpofe of aiding Foreliatlers, Regraters, &c. 

 Were fuch obfervations only to find their way into the beft- 

 informed circles, no mifchief would arife from them ; as good 

 fenfe, aided by better knowledge, would form an antidote ta 

 the poifon : But when it is confidered what a wide range 

 nevvfpapers now take, and that they are perufed even by the 

 lowell orders of the community, who, from their ignorance, 

 and the want of other information, are unable to detect the 

 fallacy of the ftatements held out, and whofe refentments are 

 quickened by their ncceflities ; the propagation of fuch ftate- 

 ments ought not CO be pardoned, upon the plea of mifinforma- 

 tion, or defe6t of intellect, but fhould be viewed as offences 

 againft the peace of fociety, and puniflied accordingly. Every 

 village has its weaver, cobler, or tailor, who reads the newf- 

 papers to an ignorant audience, and explains the different pa- 

 ragraphs, in a manner calculated to produce the moft baneful 

 effedls. 



To what is the fpirit of difcontent, unfortunately fo pre- 

 valent in many parts of the ifland, on account of the fcarcity 

 and hic;h price of provifions, owing ? The anfwer is Ihort — 

 to newipaper mifreprefentation. My fituation in life affords 

 me more than common opportunities of intercourfe with the 

 lower orders of the community ; amongft whom, efpecially in 

 towns, I have beheld the moft complicated fcenes of mifery 

 and diftrcfs, for many months paft, notwithftanding the une- 

 qualled exertions that have been made by the fuperior ranks 

 to relieve them. Upon many of thefe occafions, where I have 

 met with wretches deftitute of the moft common neceffaries, 

 my compaifion has given way to a degree of indignation, a** 

 obferving, that, in confequence of the mifreprefentations dai- 

 ly propagated through the medium of newfpapers, thefe poor 

 fuffering creatures have been taught to believe, that a calami- 

 ty, owing entirely to a fevere difpenfation of Providence, was 

 occafioned by the avarice of farmers and foreftallers. Upon 

 fuch occafions, I have attempted to deftroy the idea, by calling 



to 



