INTRODUCTION. XXxIX 



where fuch poor are in the pradlice of buying corn, and ma- 

 king bread from their own flour ; but this mode is much 

 lefs prevalent than formerly, and perhaps the poor were 

 never gainers, and never can be, by grinding fmali parcels of 

 corn. Such a hardfhip, in whatever degree it exifts, fhould 

 undoubtedly be counteraded ; but it fliould be done by 

 other means than by encouraging a ftrong and dangerous, 

 becaufe malignant, antipathy againft the miller; who, on a 

 fmall fcale of bufmefs, with all the opprobrium of mankind 

 on his head, is more commonly a poor man than an opu- 

 lent one. After having given much attention to the com- 

 plaints I have heard, and made as clofe enquiry as I could, 

 I am of opinion (which I fear not to fubmit to the candour 

 of the publick) that the felling of fmall quantities of wheat 

 to poor perfons, is only putting them into a fituation of fuf- 

 picion and complaint, without rendering them the means 

 of advantage. The poor in every parifli or dlftrict fliould, 

 from motives of oeconomy and kindnefs, be the objefts of 

 an original kind of care among the opulent — who, if tiie 

 poor cannot maintain themfelves, muft maintain them. In 

 the article of bread-corn, which is of firft necefllty, it would 

 be well to guard them againft the pofllbility of the impofi- 

 tions they complain of. This may be done by a fev^' refpecl- 

 able perfons taking on themfelves the office of purchafing, 

 from time to time, either wheat to turn into flour, for fale 

 to the poor at coft price; — or, (which would be lefs trouble 

 and lefs rifquej flour by the fack, ready made, for fuch fale. 

 The time of the poor, in going about to markets ajid mills, 

 would hereby be fpared ; and they would be fure to be well 

 fupphed, on the firft terms, without being liable to feel half 

 the effe:ls of market fluJtuations, which they muft feel by 

 purchafing fmall quantities of wheat for themfelves, and 



running 



