

tricts, the leading subject of complaint was the 

 scarcity and exorbitant prices of all the necessaries 

 of life. From the commencement of their labours, 

 the Committee had, therefore, endeavoured so to 

 administer the bounty of the Subscribers as to in? 

 crease and economise the general stock of food. 

 To promote the consumption of fish among the 

 poor of the interior was thus suggested ; and sup- 

 plies of corned and salted fish were obtained, on 

 moderate terms, by offers to the fishermen to take 

 their surplus quantities of cod and herrings in good 

 condition. The fish procured through this expe- 

 dient, would, without the encouragement afforded 

 by it, have been thrown overboard. 



As soon as these cheap supplies were furnished, 

 the Committee substituted grants offish for those 

 of money ; and the readiness with which the poor 

 received this diet in parts where it was before ge- 

 nerally unknown, encouraged the Committee to 

 increase their attention to a sphere of labour con- 

 nected with so many important objects of general 

 good. By fully promulgating the bounty of the 

 Subscribers, the Committee had obtained the most 

 ample information as to the wants and sufferings 

 of the manufacturing districts, at the time of the 

 last General Meeting, and lost no time in afford- 

 ing the assistance intended by the liberality of the 

 contributors. The number relieved, very shortly 

 after that period, was thus considerable, and the 

 means of furnishing that relief were greatly ang- 



