104 POLITICAL ECONOMY. 



In Mark Lane, in the course of 1801, the price of 

 fine wheat reached the extravagant price of 184s. 

 per quarter, and the quartern loaf for four weeks 

 was Is. I0%d. 



During the winter of 1810, the price of hay rose 

 to III. per load, and in 1812 the price of oats for a 

 week or two was 80s. per quarter. 



Average Prices of Beef and Mutton. 



Beef, per stone of 8lbs. Mutton, per stone of 8Jbs* 

 Jan. 1796, 3s. Od.to 4s. 4d. 3s. 6d. to 5s. Od. 



1814, 54 70 60 76 



1822, 28 40 24 38 



.Cheap Food. 



For many reasons, it is desirable that the labouring 

 classes should not be accustomed to feed on the very 

 cheapest and inferior sorts of food, as they do in India 

 and Ireland. On the contrary it is rather to be 

 wished that they should be accustomed to comforts, 

 and even to superfluities. 



Food and Intellect. 



No country has ever produced a great and civilized 

 race, but one which by its fertility is capable of 

 yielding a supply of farinaceous grain of the first 

 quality. Man never seems to have made any pro- 

 gress while feeding on inferior grains, farinaceous 

 roots, fruits, or the pith of trees. Nations that feed 

 on the three last-named articles appear to possess 

 inferior intellectual capacity to those who feed on 

 the cereal gramina, such as wheat, barley, rye, 

 oats, &c. &c.* 



* This is a strong argument against encouraging the cultivation 

 of potatoes, as was done some years ago. Indeed, what is called 

 encouragement, is generally premature, misapplied, and detri- 

 mental, forcing things on against the course of nature. 



