4 1 8 Remarks on Forestal/ing, and the OSt* 



fhe plough. If the above conveyed a faithful ftatement of one 

 of the richeft and beft cultivated counties in Scotland, and 

 the one I mention holds the firft rank, what diflrening ac- 

 counts muft have been received from more diilant and lefs 

 fortunate diftridls ; in many of which, to my certain know- 

 ledge, the crop was either entirely loft, or fit only for giving 

 to horfes or cattle. The notoriety of thefe facts puts the mat- 

 ter beyond a doubt, and, in the minds of well informed men, 

 muft outweigh the ignorant aflertions (not to call them by a 

 worfe name) of newfpaper fcrlbblers. 



It is, however, upon the latter part of a crop that has been 

 the fubjeit of fo extenfive and impartial an inquiry, and has 

 been declared deficient by the moft refpedlable authority, that 

 the miferable fufferers, in place of being taught to bear their 

 Iiardftiips with refignation, and to confider them as the chaf- 

 tifemcnt of a Supreme Being, for fome eaufe to us unknown, 

 • — have been induftrioufly told, that there is no fcarcity, 

 and that their mifery is owing entirely to the machinations 

 of avaricious men. Let thofe perfons, who have been fo af- 

 fiduous in circulating fuch ftatements, and who unquef- 

 tionably have rendered the cup of mifery ftill more bitter 

 by their doctrines ; I fay, let them look around, and blufh, 

 •when they view the exertions that have been made, to lefTen 

 the public calamity, by the very perfons whom they have 

 loaded with reproach, and expofed to the fury and refent- 

 ment of an ignorant and fuffering multitude. The farmers, 

 •whom they have falfely accufed of hoarding up their grain, 

 have, throughout Scotland, exhibited a degree of compaflion 

 and benevolence heretofore unequalled ; having voluntarily 

 come forward, inquired into, and relieved the wants of all 

 around them. If the newfpaper accufations are true, a fta- 

 tute of lunacy onght immediately to be applied for, againft 

 a body of men, who, at the fame time that they are hoard- 

 ing the neceflaries of life, with a view to enhance their price, 

 are gratuicoufly feeding the very people who are the principal 

 confumers of thefe articles. The thing fpeaks for itfelf ; and, 

 were the fubje£l any other than a matter of the higheft im- 

 portance to the peace and comfort of fociety, I fhould not 

 employ argument againft fuch wretched abfurdity. 



With regard to foreftalling, regfating, &e. the inftances in 

 which they are praclifed are fo few, as to be unworthy of 

 notice, when applied to a general fcarcity over a great king- 

 dom. But, were they more numerous and extenfive, we cer- 

 tainly 



