( XV ) 
PRICE OF PEO\^SIOXS. 
1st Quarter. — The price of wheat has remained steadily at nearly 
the same figure for a year and nine months ; and during the last 
three months it has been Us. a quarter. This steadiness of price in 
an article of large consumption has a salutarj- effect. Beef has 
been o^d. a pound, mutton o^d. a pound by the carcase at Leaden- 
hall and Xewgate Markets. The price of beef is the same as it was 
in the corresponiiing qnarter of 1858, and the eighth of a penny 
less than it was in 1857 ; the price of mutton in the same quarters 
was oid., 5id., and 5*d. The average prices of the higher qualities 
of the two meats decreased id. in the pound ; or beef from Sid. to 
Sid. : mutton 7c?. to 6id. Potatoes were sold at the rate of 85s. a 
ton at the Waterside 3Iarket, Sonthwark ; in the corresponding 
quarters of two previous years the prices were 105s. and 77s. 6d. 
The prices of the present year occupy an intermediate position 
between those of 1857, when they were higher, and 1858, when 
they were lower. 
2nd Quarier. — Wheat was sold at the average rate of 43s. 4d. a 
quarter during the last thirteen weeks of the year 1859 ; in the 
corresponding weeks of 1857 and 1858 the price was 52s. and 41s. 9d. 
The price of this great article of food fluctuated little, and has been 
moderate dtiring the last two years. The average price of beef by 
the carcase at Leadenhall and Newgate Markets was oid., of mutton. 
5id. a potmd. The price of meat fluctuates less than the price of 
bread ; but taking the mean of two articles, the price has followed 
the same course as the price of wheat. So the price of potatoes, 
which fluctuates largely, and has an evident effect on the public 
health, was 14*%'., 87s. Gd., and 102s. lod. a ton in the last thirteen 
weeks of the three years 1857, 1858, and 1859. 
