391 



X. — Notes on the prices of provisions, the rates of wages, Sfc., at 

 St. Agnes a hundred and fifty years ago. — By J. H. Collins, 

 F.G.S. 



THE history of a people at any given epoch is largely niade 

 up of two very common-place elements, the cost of provisions, 

 and the rate of wages. As throwing light on this, I have 

 extracted from an old account book — which has been placed in 

 my hands for that purpose by Mr. F. G. Enys — a number of 

 entries which relate to these important conditions, in the neigh- 

 bourhood of St. Agnes, about 150 years since ; thinking they 

 might be interesting for comparison with similar facts in other 

 districts and other times. 



The book in question is entitled "Mr. Benj. Hingstone* — 

 Ace* with Sam' Enys, Esq''*^ begun 1 Feb. 1719. to July 1784. 

 It is kept with extreme neatness, the paper and ink being 

 remarkably good ; the latter having been made on the spot as 

 was then usual, has withstood the lapse of time and the 

 dampness of a damp climate without material injury. 



The contents of the book are as follows : — 



Acct of all the Mon'ys Eec"^ of Samuel Ennys Esq*'^ for Tre- 

 vaunance use. 



Ace* of aU the Mon'y Eec* for Eents & Fines. 



Ace* of all the Mon'y Eec*^ for Tin Proffitts & Copj^er Oare 



Ace* of what proffitts is made of the Land in hand 



Ace* of the profits of Tiths 



A pticular Ace* of Sundry Sums of Mon'y Eec*^ by Mr. Ennys 



Ace* of Sundry Disburstments p'^' by Ben. Hingeston on the 

 Estate w''^ was formerly Mr. Tonkins 



A pticular A'^"* of Sundry Disbursments (joaid by ^Mr. Ennys's 

 own hand) on the Estate w*^*^ was formerly Mr. Tonkins. 



I will now proceed to draw attention to the substance of some 

 of the entries. 



* Nov. 8, 1734, Mr Hingeston is styled Cousin Hingeston by Mr Saml. Enys. 

 The spelling of the name varies in different parts of the boot. 



