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tain any loss from the stoppage of distillation, 

 He would save as much, according to them, 

 in the reduced wages of labour and poor rates, 

 the easier maintenance of his family, &c. con- 

 sequent on the cheapness, as he would lose by 

 the fall of grain. If this be true, the price of 

 grain is of no consequence to the farmer, and 

 the fixation of a maximum, however low, would 

 be to him a matter, of indifference. By the 

 same reasoning we may satisfy the woollen 

 manufacturer, that a fall in the price of cloth 

 is nothing against his interest, as he might 

 then clothe his workmen, servants, and family 

 cheaper than before. It is painful, at this 

 time of day, to be obliged to reply seriously 

 to such folly. Were the argument intended 

 to convince those only whom it professes 

 to address (the farmer or manufacturer), it 

 would be idle, indeed, to take notice of it. 

 Their interest and experience tell them its ab- 

 surdity too plainly to allow them to be deceiv- 

 ed. Let others be convinced, from what is 

 observed of their conduct (if unable to see it 

 themselves), that a forced decrease in the price 

 of any commodity is never compensated to the 

 dealer by the lower wages of his workmen, or 

 any other consequences of the fall. If the far- 

 mers in this country consider the stoppage of 



