[ i93 ] 



In general, all thefe branches find, that 

 their belt friend is an high price of provisi- 

 ons. I was particular in my enquiries on this 

 head, and found the fentiment univerial. 

 The manufacturers themfelves, as well as 

 their families, are in fuch times better 

 cloathed, better fed, happier, and in eafier 

 circumftances, than when prices are low ; 

 for at fuch times they never worked fix days 

 in a week ; numbers not five, nor even four ; 

 the idle time fpent at ale-houfes, Gr at re- 

 ceptacles of low diverfion ; the remainder of 

 their time of little value ; for it is a known 

 fact, that a man who flicks to his loom re- 

 gularly, will perform his work much bet- 

 ter, and do more of it, than one who idles 

 aw r ay half his time, and efpecially in drunk- 

 ennefs. 



The matter manufacturers of Manchcfter 

 wifh that prices might always be high e- 

 nough to enforce a general induftry j to 

 keep the hands employed fix days for a 

 week's work ; as they find that even one idle 

 day, in the chance of its being a drunken 

 one, damages all the other five, or, rather, 

 the work of them. But at the fame time 

 they are fenlible, that provifions may be too 

 high, and that the poor may ftiffer in fpite 

 of the utmoft induftry ; the line of fepara- 

 tion is too delicate to attempt the drawing : 

 but it is well known by every mafter manu- 

 facturer at Manchejte?', that the workmen 



Vol. III. O wlio 



