Part 12
All articles of luxury, and very many of absolute necessity, were taxed to supply the drain of the war--and, doubtless, people had to be economical--but the following advertisement reduces economy to a science:--
"ADVANTAGEOUS HAT SUBSCRIPTION. Stamps included.
"Three Hats, value £1, 1s. each, at £1, 14s. 6d. per Ann., delivered as follows. Two on Subscription, the third at the end of eight months, when the two first must be returned, and the third at the end of the year. Four Hats, value £1, 4s. each, at £2, 6s. per Ann., delivered as follows. Two on subscribing, and two at the end of six months, when the two first must be returned, and the other two at the end of the year. The Hats changed as the Fashions vary during subscribing. To remove all prejudices, Gentlemen may call at the Manufactory and see the quality. Old Hats taken in part of the subscription money. Durant and Pitra, Hat Manufactory, middle of Monmouth St."--(_Times, Aug. 25, 1796._)
On Nov. 22, 1798, Pitt brought forward his annual statement, relating to public finance--and proposed to raise £7,000,000, by a new tax called a triple assessment--but, eventually, it turned out that it, with the land tax, brought in but about 4-1/2 Millions. A Briton can extract some fun, even out of his misfortunes, so they caricatured this heavy tax. In Dec. 1797 appeared a picture entitled "More visitors to John Bull; or the Assessed Taxes"--showing four little imps coming to John Bull. He naturally asks, "What do you want, you little devils?--ain't I plagued with enough of you already? more pick pocket's work, I suppose?" But the _diablotins_ courteously reply, "Please your honour, we are the Assessed Taxes."
On Dec. 3, 1798, Mr. Pitt again made his annual financial statement--and, of course, he wanted more money--and the way by which he proposed to raise the necessary funds--was by imposing a Tax on Income. He proposed that no income under £60 a year should be touched--and from that sum, to £200 per annum, should be on a smaller scale than over £200--past which sum--a full tenth of all incomes would be demanded. The returns were to be made by the person assessed, subject to the inspection of a surveyor, who should lay before the commissioners any grounds he might have for suspecting the return to be false. The commissioners had no power to call for account books, or to examine clerks, &c. But, if the individual did not clear himself, and they thought he had not returned sufficient, they could make such assessment as they thought fit. After a long debate it was carried by 183 to 17, and made law on 18th Mar. 1799. By the accompanying caricature, "A Visitor to John Bull, for the year 1799, or the Assessed Taxes taking their leave," it was evidently the public impression that the Income Tax would supersede the Assessed Taxes. But it was not so, as they were still kept on.
The little demons still behave courteously towards John Bull, who looks in undisguised horror at the size of the awful fund (the Income Tax) now taking possession of him.
The following paragraph would seem, at first sight, rather harsh--but it must be borne in mind that the War was a cruel drain on our fiscal resources--and not one penny that had been granted by parliament could be bated.
"The Commissioners of the Stamp Office having been informed that the practice of letting out newspapers for hire, was carried on to a very considerable extent, to the great injury of the revenue, the Commissioners ordered a prosecution to take place, and a newsman was yesterday summoned before the Lord Mayor, and convicted in the penalty of £5, as the Act directs."--(_Times, Oct. 23, 1795._)
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"Lending Newspapers. James Berridge, a Newsman, was, on Saturday, brought before Sir William Addington, and R. Ford, Esq., charged with letting out Newspapers for hire, from house to house. This was a prosecution instituted by the Commissioners of the Stamps. A great number of complaints were brought forward against him, and he was convicted in six penalties of £5 each. A variety of others were about to be exhibited against him, but in consideration of his having a large family, the Solicitor declined going into them."--(_Times, Jan. 2, 1798._)
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"The keepers of several reading-rooms in Fleet Street, and Shoe-Lane, were, on Saturday, fined £5 for lending newspapers for hire."--(_Times, Sept. 26, 1798._)
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"Government intends to have one fixed standard for Weights, and Measures, over the whole Kingdom; as the greatest frauds, for want of that regulation, have, for ages, been practised with impunity. These regulations are much needed, and are an excellent subject for taxation. The lower orders of the community are grievously imposed upon, for want of them, and, doubtless, it will be a popular mode of taxation, and can give no offence to any class of people, but those dishonestly employed."--(_Times, Sept. 15, 1796._)
* * * * *
"The following curious view of the incredible loss sustained by raising weekly loans of money, at the Pawnbrokers, it is hoped, will prove an additional incitement to frugality; for certain it is, that in many instances, 1/6th, and in some cases 1/5th, and even as high as 1/4th, of the annual earnings of the more thoughtless, and dissolute part, of the poor, is paid for temporary accommodations. For instance,
"The person who borrows 3d. in pawn, pays 6d. a year, interest, but, if taken out weekly, (a thing very common, particularly during the Lottery),
It is 1/2d. per week, or 850 per cent. on the sum borrowed. If 6d. it is the same " 425 do. If 9d. do. " 285 do. If 1s. do. " 215 do. If 2s. do. " 107-1/2 do. If 2s. 6d. do. " 87-1/2 do.
"This explanation should be a warning to those who are so improvident, as to pawn their Sunday cloaths, every Monday morning, or 52 times a year, a custom which too frequently prevails, without reflecting that the Interest paid the Pawnbroker would, probably, purchase two or three coats, gowns, or silk cloaks, in the course of the year."--(_Times, Mar. 20, 1797._)
* * * * *
"ON PUBLIC-HOUSES. (Condensed.)
"In the City of London, and within the Bills of Mortality, there are at present 5,204 licensed Public Houses, and it is calculated that the Beer, and Spirits, which are consumed in these receptacles of idleness, and profligacy, by the _labouring people_, only, is little short of _three millions sterling a year_. It has been lately discovered, that clubs of apprentice boys are harboured in Public Houses, for the purpose of supporting their brethren who run away from their masters, and of indulging themselves early, in scenes of lewdness, and drunkenness, which they generally do, by pilfering their masters property, and disposing of it at the old iron shops.
"In a recent publication, the consumption of Ale, and Porter, annually, in the metropolis, and its environs, is stated to be 1,132,147 barrels, equal to 36,625,145 gallons, making 158,400,580 pots at 3-1/2d. £2,311,466 15 10
"And, by another calculation, the average consumption of Gin, and Compounds, in Public Houses, previous to the stoppage of the distillery, was about 3,000,000 of Gallons 975,000 0 0 ---------------- £3,286,466 15 10
"If a conclusion may be drawn from the apparent greater degree of sobriety, which is manifested, at present, by the labouring people, and evinced by the number of quarrels, and assaults, being very considerably diminished, and the pressure, with respect to the means of living, apparently less than in the spring of 1795, notwithstanding no charities have been distributed, and bread is considerably higher, it would seem reasonable to attribute this favourable change, to the high price of Gin, which, being in a great measure inaccessible, the lower ranks have it now in their power, to apply the money, formerly spent in this way, to the purchase of provisions, perhaps to the extent of some hundred thousands of Pounds a year, in the metropolis, alone!"--(_Times, Oct. 4. 1797._)
FOOD.
The years 1795-6 were years of great scarcity, and the graphic daily accounts of the want of food, and of the various substitutes for bread--the abstinence of all classes, from the King, to the labourer, bring very vividly to our minds, a state of things, which has never since obtained in England--
"In consequence of the scarcity of Wheat, arising partly from such quantities of it being used for hair-powder, several regiments have, very patriotically, discontinued the use of hair-powder, which, in these instances, was generally nothing but flour."--(_Times, Feb. 10, 1795._)
* * * * *
"The Parliamentary Board of Agriculture, in consideration of the probable scarcity of wheat, have agreed to propose a premium of One Thousand Pounds, to the person who will grow the largest breadth of _Potatoes_, on lands never applied to the culture of that plant before:--they have liberally excluded the Members of their own Board from becoming candidates for this valuable prize."--(_Times, Feb. 14, 1795._)
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"The general failure of Wheat, throughout Europe, last year, makes it proper to promote the culture of an increased quantity of Potatoes, and, as one means of doing it, it is recommended to Noblemen and Gentlemen, who have large Parks, to break up a part of them to be planted with Potatoes, those grounds generally lying dry, will be very proper for the purpose, and fit for immediate planting with that root. It is hoped that so benevolent, and patriotic, an object, will be a sufficient incitement, without a consideration of profit attached."--(_Times, March 20, 1795._)
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"It is hinted by a benevolent mind, who has, on account of meat being so dear, left off soup in his family, at present, that the making of soup destroys a great deal of meat, and it is recommended that the rich leave off making soups, as the meat is generally wasted, it will relieve a great many poor families in these dear times."--(_Times, April 27, 1775._)
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"Friday, a Court of Common-Council was held at Guildhall: when the Lord Mayor stated to the Court, the hardships the poor feel on account of the high price of provisions, on which, Mr. Syms moved, that a Committee of all the Aldermen, and one Commoner, out of each Ward, be appointed, to consider the best method to be adopted for reducing the price, which, after a few observations, was agreed to.
"Mr. Dixon moved, that, for one year, neither the Corporation, nor any Committee, be allowed public dinners. It was seconded by Mr. Kemble, and supported by three, or four, other Members: but some treated the motion as not seriously meant. Mr. Deputy Birch moved an amendment, by adding, that the savings by such means, be paid to the Committee now appointed, to be by them appropriated for reducing the price of provisions--on which a previous questioned was moved, and the question being put, there appeared for it 26; against it 39; Majority against, 13."--(_Times, May 11, 1795._)
* * * * *
"Provisions continue to advance in price. Mutton, in the last week, rose 4d. per stone of 8 lbs., which now costs the enormous sum of 5s. in Smithfield Market, sinking the offal; ox beef is 4s. 4d., lamb 6s., veal 5s. 8d.
"If a bounty was to be given on mackarel brought to market, it would, in a great measure, tend to lower the price of butchers meat, which a ruinous plan of forestalling, and unfair buying and selling, has raised to an alarming price.
"A report from the committee appointed at the last Court of Common Council, to consider of the best means of reducing the present high price of provisions, was read, giving it as their opinion, that encouraging the bringing up fish to Billingsgate, would, in a great measure, reduce the price of meat, with which report the Court agreed, and £500 was granted for that purpose."--(_Times, May 18, 1795._)
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Advt.--"GUILDHALL, London, May 22, 1795.
"The Committee, appointed by the Court of Common Council, to use the best Means to increase the Quantity of Fish brought to the London Market, to reduce the price of Provisions, do hereby give notice, that they have resolved to give a Bounty of Two Pounds for every 1000 Mackarel, sold at Billingsgate, at the rate of 20s. per hundred of six score, with a sufficient proof of their freshness: Four Pounds for every 2000: Six Pounds for every 3000: Eight Pounds for every 4000, and Ten Pounds for every 5000 Mackarel, sold, as aforesaid. Also, they have resolved to give a Bounty of Five Pounds per Ton, or Five Shillings for every Hundred weight of Cod, and Haddock, sold at Billingsgate at the rate of 2d. per lb., with a sufficient proof of their freshness. The said Bounties to commence on Monday the 1st June next, and be paid by applying at the Chamberlain's Office, on producing a Certificate, of the number, goodness, and prices, of the said Fish.
RIX."
--(_Times, May 25, 1795._)
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"Among the numerous causes which may be assigned for the present high prices of provisions, especially of poultry, the uniting of many small farms into one great one, is not the least. It is a well known fact, that, where three farms have been leased, or let, to one tenant, which three farms, antecedently, had each a separate tenant, no more poultry is produced by the union, than each separately reared, when divided, so that two-thirds are, of course, lost to the public. This mode of throwing many small farms into one large farm, by having one, instead of a number of tenants, however it may profit the landlord, is of very great injury to the public, inasmuch as it gives a kind of Aristocracy to the farmers, that enables them, in a great measure, to set what price they please upon provisions, destroying that competition, which is always the consequence, where the venders are numerous. Thus it is that a great part of Oxfordshire has been bought up by a noble Duke, who, by monopolizing so much land, and destroying a number of small farms, has done a very essential injury to the public."--(_Times, June 22, 1795._)
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"We are sorry to learn that Wheat rose yesterday nine shillings per quarter. It is, however, with great satisfaction, we announce, that several ships, laden with corn, are arrived in the Downs from Dantzic, and part of their produce is expected to arrive in time for to-morrow's market."--(_Times, July 7, 1795._)
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"The Privy Council, whose constant attention has been directed, for many months past, to provide the kingdom with a regular supply of corn, propose to recommend to the country at large, the use of Household Bread. It is further to be recommended, that families should not have puddings, or pies, nor any such like articles made of flour.
"The Magistrates of the General Quarter Sessions for Middlesex, seem to be acting upon this principle in the resolution passed at their last Court-day, which we trust will be followed by every other public body in the kingdom. The disuse of pastry seems to be a very important consideration.
"The Directors of the East India Co. have set a laudable example of attention to the distresses of the times, in abridging the customary expense of their dinners, on Court-days."--(_Times, July 10, 1795._)
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Advt.--"At a General Quarter Session of the Peace, for the County of Middlesex, the Magistrates assembled, taking into consideration the present High Prices of Provisions, with the consequent inconveniences resulting therefrom, and, feeling the propriety of a general retrenchment in the manner of furnishing the Table, at this particular time, have come to the following Resolution, viz., That during the remainder of the present Session, and during the next Session, in September, no Puddings, or Pies, nor any the like articles made of Flour, be served to their table, nor any other provisions, whatsoever, than fish, beef, mutton, or veal, with vegetables, and household bread.
"By the Court. Selby."
--(_Times, July 9, 1795._)
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"Yesterday, the Directors of the Bank of England sent £500 to the Lord Mayor, requesting he would apply that sum towards the relief of the industrious poor, in the article of BREAD. The _Sun Fire Office_ sent £100, to the same worthy Magistrate, for the like purpose. The different Wards in the City have subscribed, very liberally, towards the relief of the poor in their present distress. Public subscriptions are about to be opened for the same benevolent purpose. Pastry, and puddings, have been abolished in a number of private houses. The Directors of the Bank yesterday came to a resolution to have no more public dinners, while the price of provisions continued so high. This laudable resolution will, we trust, be followed by all the corporate bodies in the kingdom."--(_Times, July 11, 1795._)
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"The Drapers Company voted the 200 guineas, for reducing the price of Bread, after the _Court_ had been on a Survey, and, (to use a technical term) returned to _dine upon a view_. The following Epigram was put under the Master's plate:--
"In times so hard, how happy 'twere If thousands, like to you, Could glut their craving appetites By _dining on--a view_.
But from your views such works of love Such general good accrues, That happier 'twere if each day brought _New dinners and new views_."
--(_Times, July 11, 1795._)
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Advt.--"MIDDLESEX.
"At the General Quarter Session of the Peace of our Lord the King, holden in and for the County of Middlesex ... a Letter from his Grace the Duke of Portland, one of her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, was read, inclosing a copy of the following engagement, entered into by several of the Lords of his Majesty's most Hon. Privy Council, in the following words:
"In consideration of the present high Price of Wheat, and, in order to diminish the Consumption thereof, in our respective Families, so as to leave a larger Supply of this necessary Article of Food, for the People in general, until the Corn of the ensuing Harvest shall come into Consumption, and relieve them of their present difficulties: We, whose Names are hereto subscribed, being desirous of introducing into common use a wholesome Bread, at a lower price than must be paid for the sort of Bread now ordinarily used, do engage that we will not, ourselves, consume, nor suffer to be consumed, in any of our Families, until the First Day of October next, at any place where the sort of Bread undermentioned can be procured, any sort of Wheaten Bread finer than that which, in an Act of Parliament passed in the 13th year of his present Majesty's Reign, is called by the name of Standard Wheaten Bread: which is directed by the said Act to be made of the Flour of Wheat, which Flour, without any Mixture, or Division, shall be the whole Produce of the Grain, the Bran or Hull thereof only excepted, and which shall weigh three-fourths parts of the weight of the Wheat whereof it shall be made. We further engage to diminish, as much as possible, the use of Flour in other articles of Food consumed in our respective Families. And we earnestly recommend to all our Fellow Subjects, to adopt these Measures, and strictly adhere to the same.
Loughborough. Mansfield. Chatham. Portland. Chesterfield. J. Eyre. A. Macdonald. Spencer. Hawkesbury. W. Pitt. Leicester. Up. Ossory. W. Windham. Bathurst. Grenville. Amherst. Winchelsea. Stafford. R. P. Arden. Dudley Ryder. C. Townshend. Kenyon. Sandwich. Mornington. Carlisle.
C. F. Greville.
"Resolved, that this Court, deeply impressed by the wisdom of this measure, adopt the Regulations stated in the above Engagement, and resolve strictly to adhere to them, earnestly recommending them to the serious consideration, and practice, of all Masters of Families, and other Inhabitants of this County, &c., &c.
Selby."
--(_Times, July 14, 1795._)
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"The want of bread is often more imaginary, than real. There are many excellent substitutes for this article, which would in themselves be preferred by many people, if it were a matter of choice, only, between themselves. Unfortunately, the call for bread will always be in proportion to the scarcity of it, from the natural disposition of some to make grievances, and complaints, and of others to provoke tumult, and riot.
"To make good bread. Take a pottle of fine oatmeal, and lay it in water, to steep, all night: next morning, it will appear (if too much water is not put to it) like hasty pudding. This break into several parts of a peck and a half of barley-meal, to which add warm water, and yeast, and knead it into dough, as all wheat meal is commonly done: then mould it into loaves, and bake them. Thus, a barley loaf may be made hollow, white, and sweet, so as scarcely to be known from coarse wheaten bread. When skimmed milk can be had, it will make the bread better still."--(_Times, July 15, 1795._)
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"COMMON COUNCIL.
"Yesterday, a Court of Common Council was held at Guildhall, at which the Lord Mayor, 6 Aldermen, and about 150 Commoners, were present.
"The Lord Mayor informed the Court, that he had not yet received any answer to the application made by desire of that Court to his Majesty's Ministers, requesting them to prohibit the use of Hair Powder, and Flour, in the Army. It was, however, generally understood in the Court, that Government was acting in compliance with the wishes of the Court.