408 Of Food. 



ought particularly to be attended to in times of general 

 alarm, on account of the scarcity of provisions ; for the 

 relief which may in such cases be derived from it is 

 immediate and effectual, while all other resources are 

 distant and uncertain. 



I am aware of the difficulties which always attend 

 the introduction of measures calculated to produce any 

 remarkable change in the customs and habits of man- 

 kind ; and there is perhaps no change more difficult 

 to effect than that which would be necessary in order 

 to make any considerable saving in the consumption 

 of those articles commonly used as food, but still I am 

 of opinion that such a change might with proper 

 management be brought about 



There was a time, no doubt, when an aversion to 

 potatoes was as general and as strong in Great Britain, 

 and even in Ireland, as it is now in some parts of 

 Bavaria ; but this prejudice has been got over, and I 

 am persuaded that any national prejudice, however 

 deeply rooted, may be overcome, provided proper means 

 be used for that purpose, and time allowed for their 

 operation. 



But notwithstanding the difficulty of introducing a 

 general use of soups throughout the country, or of any 

 other kind of food, however palatable, cheap, and nour- 

 ishing, to which people have not been accustomed, yet 

 these improvements might certainly be made with great 

 facility, in all public hospitals and workhouses, where 

 the poor are fed at the public expense ; and the saving 

 of provisions (not to mention the diminution of ex- 

 pense) which might be derived from this improvement 

 would be very important at all times, and more especially 

 in times of general scarcity. 



