5^!v historical chroniele. 



iifhing state of this country, lling, which subjects the p.oor 

 combinations have become of this p' ace to very great in- 

 very general of late among convenience. 



The magistrates of Edin- 



differcnt clafses of this di;- np- 

 tion of persons, to abstain from 

 work, until their employers 



burgh on this occasion have 

 exerted themselves to alkviate 



ihould agree to augment their this evil in a manner that me- 

 wages. In many cases this rits the warmest approbation 



has been productive of the de- 

 sired eifect, and a rise of price 

 has been the necefsary conse- 

 q^uence. But in no case has 

 the effects of these combina- 

 tions been more severely felt 

 than that which respects coal- 

 liers. This description of men 

 by being able to earn much 

 higher wages than others of 

 their own rank, can afford to 

 lie idle, without experiencing 

 the eifects of want, much 

 longer than others. They 

 have of late exercised this 

 power to the utmost, in the 

 coal works around this place ; 



of the public. They grant a 

 considerable bounty on all 

 coals imported into Leith, 

 and grant other indulgences 

 tending to moderate the price. 

 But the vefsels freighted to 

 bring coals within the frith, 

 where only they can pafs, duty 

 free, are detained so long be- 

 fore they can be loaded, as to 

 counteract the beneficent purpo- 

 ses of the magistrates. The 

 only effectual remedy seems 

 to be to obtain a repeal of the 

 the coal duty, which alone can 

 open a free intercourse' be- 

 tween this place and Newcastle 



in consequence of which the and Sunderland, 

 quantity of coal raised has: We hear a very rich seam 

 been so much fhort of the usu- of coal was lately discovered 

 al demand, that the price of at St Catharine's within three 

 * this necefsary article has star- miles of Edinburgh. — The pe- 

 ted in a few months from fiveitroleum ot the famous balm 

 pence the hundred weight, its well ifsued from this coal. 

 ^SLial selling price, to one flul-l 



To OUR READERS. 

 y}s there are now considerable arrears due for this worky 

 especially by persons at a distance, the Editor requests the fa^ 

 tour of his subscribers to tnake remittances when opportunities 

 offer. The sums due by each individual must appear -very trif- 

 ling to them ; but when tnany small sums are add id toirether, 

 the amount becomes considerable, and of some consequence to the 

 JEdilor. Few will imagine that the arrears due on this W9rk 

 fimld be greatl'^ above a thuusand pounds. 



