Part 14

"HIGH PRICE OF MEAT. This alarming circumstance is not owing to any real scarcity of oxen, sheep, or hogs, but, partly, to a combination among the carcass-butchers in the wholesale markets, and the salesmen in Smithfield, who fix the prices, and who regulate what quantity of cattle shall come to town: and, partly, to a very shameful practice among the retail butchers, especially where a contract is made to supply a family at so much per pound for the year. When the butcher has made his contract at 5d., 5-1/2d., or 6d., he can make a very great profit, although, as is now the case, he can purchase a carcass at 7-1/2d. in the wholesale markets: and the mode by which he does this, is in defrauding his customers of the due weight, to which the person, who attends to see the meat weighed, too often connives at, for a Christmas present, or an Easter gift. The weight, no doubt is in the scale, at the time of weighing: but when the meat is put by, in order to be sent home, a considerable part is purloined: and it is a well known fact, that, in these large lots, the same leg of beef(?) has been weighed to, perhaps, ten or twelve families, in the same day, and not sent to any of them. The leg is considered as the most convenient for this theft, because it is so large, and is, when weighed with the lot, hung on the end of the beam of the scales, from whence it is taken down, and thrown, not where it ought, with the meat, but to another part of the shop. If this was not the case, how is it possible that a butcher can make a livelihood, when he buys 2d. per pound dearer than he sells? The fact speaks for itself. The mode which all families should adopt, is to weigh their meat when it is sent home."--(_Times, July 3, 1795._)

* * * * *

"A few days ago, 11 acres of growing wheat, belonging to the Duke of Hamilton, in Scotland, were sold at £20 per acre. This species of forestalling, we fear, is now too generally attempted, which is evidently most injurious to the community, viz., 'to buy corn growing in the fields.' This practice, surely, has a direct, and apparent, tendency to enhance the present price of corn: also, that of 'selling corn in the sheaf.' We think it expedient, however, to notify, that both these practices are deemed highly criminal by the 'common law of England,' and for which the offenders may be indicted, and punished, as they deserve, with great severity, viz., by fines, pillory, and imprisonment. See _Inst. 197_: also _Hawk_ c. 30."--(_Times, Aug. 19, 1795._)

* * * * *

"The contrivances to keep up the price of wheat, having been discovered, and defeated, we hope the attention of the worthy Chief Magistrate will now be directed towards some plan for the relief of the Metropolis, against the extortion of the Graziers, and Salesmen, in Smithfield Market. The prices of the latter, on Monday, were higher than almost ever remembered, and mutton is now sold at 7-1/2d. per lb. What real cause there is for such extravagant prices, after such a mild winter, is a matter we are at a loss to account for."--(_Times, April 13, 1796._)

* * * * *

"An action for regrating, in Smithfield Market, is now pending in the Court of Common Pleas: against one of the five brothers, who have so long supported themselves, and their families, by jobbing in Cattle at that Market. A Carcass Butcher, in Whitechapel, is also in dread of a similar action, the penalties on which will be very heavy, as it is for purchasing near 70 oxen, on a Friday, driving them to his farm, near Clapton, and bringing them to Smithfield, for sale, on the following Monday."--(_Times, Nov. 29, 1796._)

Before this time of Scarcity, however, the good folks did not deny themselves luxuries of the table, nor, seemingly, care what they paid for them.

"The first _green peas_ which have been produced this season, were sold, on Monday, in Covent Garden market, at _twelve shillings_ per pottle."--(_Times, April 17, 1793._)

* * * * *

"As a proof of the forwardness of the season, green peas have already made their appearance in Covent Garden market, where they are retailed to the _curious in vegetables_ at the moderate price of _two guineas a quart_."--(_Times, March 1, 1794._)

* * * * *

"The Fishmongers Company are such jolly _soles_, as to have annually nine quarts of peas at a guinea a quart."--(_Times, May 16, 1794._)

* * * * *

"Lemons have attained a price never before arrived at in London, namely, ninepence each; buying them wholesale, the price is at the rate of from 6d. to 8d. each. About 400,000 were imported during the week from St. Ubes, and as a large supply is daily expected, the prices must of course fall."--(_Times, Jany. 2, 1797._)

* * * * *

"The arrival of the Lisbon fleet, will make Lemons once more plenty. They were sold, a week ago, at the enormous price of 1s. a piece."--(_Times, July 16, 1799._)

It may be interesting to some to learn when Sea Kale first came into use.

Advt.--"SEA-KALE, a new Culinary Vegetable----Mr. Curtis respectfully informs the Nobility and Gentry, that the small quantity of Sea-Kale fit for the table, which he has to dispose of this season, will by his appointment, be sold by Messrs. Dickson and Anderson, Seedsmen, Covent Garden Market, to whom he will continue to send it daily, fresh cut, for the short period it may last. Printed directions for dressing it, are tied up with each bundle."--(_Times, April 30, 1795._)

In the subjoined advertisement we learn the prices, and qualities, of various Wines, and the list gives us all the information required to find out the different sorts of wine then drank.

"At Priddy's Foreign Warehouse, and Vaults, No. 14 Poland St., a large quantity of the following Wines, &c., which being, himself, the Importer of, can warrant genuine, at the following prices, viz., at per Dozen:--

Ten years old Sherry 25/ Red Port, vintage 1788 20/ Old Lisbon 20/ Calcavella 22/ Fine Hock 30/ Vin de Grave 26/ Madeira 36/ Claret 36/ Ditto, first growth 42/ Burgundy 60/ Red Champagne 70/ White " 70/ Hermitage 42/ Frontigniac 36/

"Rich Aliatico, and Montepulciano, Florence Wines, real Cogniac Brandy, Jamaica Rum, Rotterdam Geneva, and Orange Shrub, on the very lowest terms."--(_Times, April 16, 1793._)

Coals, though, of course, not an article of Food, were undoubtedly of use in cooking it: and may therefore be mentioned here. Our Grandfathers paid very dearly for them: but it must be remembered there was no land carriage, and a continued contrary wind, or a "hot press," would leave the London Market bare. The magnificent basins of Inland Coals were scarcely known, and only those like the Moira Collieries, near to a Canal, could be worked. They were sold to the consumer at per Chaldron of 2800 lbs., and the prices below quoted represent them ex-ship. Add to this the cost of delivery and profit 12s., and take the Sovereign as being worth 30s., and it will much account for the small stoves then in vogue.

"The price of Coals in the Pool, yesterday, were:--Best 43s. Inferior sorts from 36s. to 38s. Delivered to housekeepers 49s. to 44s. The price rose considerably yesterday from a report that several colliers had been captured."--(_Times, Feby. 12, 1793._)

* * * * *

"COAL EXCHANGE.

"On Monday the price was 70s. per Chaldron all sorts.

On Wednesday, the price was 60s. and some sorts lower.

On Yesterday, the price was 50s. to 45s. per Chaldron.

We are happy at giving such an agreeable account to our readers."--(_Times, March 7, 1794._)

* * * * *

"The prices of Coals still continue very high, notwithstanding above 100 ships have, this week, arrived at market, which are nearly all sold from 38s. to 44s. per Chaldron: so that the best sorts cannot be fairly delivered under 50s. per Chaldron. The number of ships taken out of the trade, into the transport, and other services, is the cause of the present high price, as the demand is greater than the supply."--(_Times, Oct. 4, 1794._)

* * * * *

"Many complaints have been made of the high price of coals, and it is supposed to arise from a combination, but we are well assured no such cause exists. The long frost having stopped the navigation of the Thames, what coals remained in the lighters, and barges, were nearly exhausted at the wharfs, and naturally, every man possessed of a commodity, looks to extraordinary profits on unusual events, which has, we understand, occasioned six, and seven, guineas to be given for a chaldron of coals, within a few days past, but, had the frost continued, coals would have been considerably cheaper, than at present, as the ice admitted the coals being worked over it. There are, at present, near 50 sail of colliers in the river, not unladen, which contain about 10,000 chaldrons, for an immediate supply, (but not ten times that quantity, as erroneously stated in most of the papers) and, before they can be consumed, we may expect a fresh fleet at Market."--(_Times, Jany. 30, 1795._)

* * * * *

"Yesterday, there was only one ship of coals, at Market, which sold at three guineas and a half per chaldron. About 30 sail more were at sea, and forced into the Humber."--(_Times, Feby. 24, 1795._)

* * * * *

"Coals were on Friday (_12th April_) sold in the Pool at five guineas per Chaldron. There was only one ship-load at market."--(_Times, April 15, 1799._)

THE ROAD AND STREETS.

The Highways and Streets were in very far from good condition, the roads being full of ruts, and the streets when paved, were made of large "Cobble" Stones, and were full of holes, ofttimes very dangerous, as we shall see. The foot pavement, except in some of the best streets, which were flagged, was very narrow, and made of "Kidney" stones on end, such as may still be met with in the bye-ways of some country towns. Consequently no one stirred out more than they could help; the men always on horseback, if single--by "Post," if accompanied by ladies. It will have been noticed in "Men's dress" that they all wear boots, if not in the house, and the reason is plain--they had to be protected against the mud of the streets, and ready for the saddle. Every man had to learn to ride, and no doubt this laid the foundation of the Continental opinion, that every Englishman is a good horseman.

"Young Gentlemen during their Holidays, are supplied with gentle pleasant Horses of all sizes, and the most careful Attendance and Instructions for £2 12 6

A Horse to ride for Exercise in the House 0 3 6 Twelve lessons when convenient 2 7 6 Sixteen lessons in four weeks 2 7 0 Single lesson 0 5 0 Book of Instructions for Ladies 0 5 6 Breaking a horse 2 7 6 &c."

--(_Morning Post, Jany. 2, 1788._)

* * * * *

"Advt.--_A CAUTION_ to all Gentlemen who drive Jobb Horses by their own Coachmen, the Gentleman paying yearly wages to them: From a Gentleman who has had experience of it.--That the Coachmaster and Coachmen do agree, the one to give, the other to receive, annually, a certain sum of money, which can be for no other purpose than to defraud their employers, demanding so much more for the price of their horses, to bribe the said Coachmen to conceal defects in them, and to engage the said Coachmaster to recommend the said Coachmen: and so vice-versa to employ each other, if out of place or business. This is a most dishonest, but general practice of the Coachmasters. The writer of this, to avoid and discourage the practice of this Knavery, has purchased his own horses, persuaded no other means will be effectual. This is written merely to put Gentlemen on their guard, at the expense of the Advertiser, and will not be inserted again."--(_Times, July 2, 1795._)

Of course those that could afford it travelled Post--which was charged one shilling per horse per mile, besides a gratuity to the "boy," but this was raised to fourteen pence in 1796, when food became so dear.

"So great is the itch of pleasure at this time of year, that on Sundays it is difficult to find post-horses in London. Last Sunday General _Fox_, and several other persons of Consideration, who had business out of town, were confined for want of them, though they sent as far as the extremity of Whitechapel."--(_Times, Sept. 2, 1795._)

* * * * *

"The rate of _Posting_ still continues at 14d. per mile, and nothing but the unanimous determination of the public to resist so extravagant a charge, can possibly do it away. Some few Post Masters have, it is true, advertised at 1s., but the general rate still remains at 14d. This charge took its rise from the scarcity, and, consequently, the high price of corn: but, at this moment, when corn has fell one third, nothing can justify the continuance of what may be justly reprobated as an _imposition_."--(_Times, July 9, 1796._)

But it was not every one who could afford Posting or even the Stage Coach,--for them existed the "Stage Wagon"--a most cumbrous affair with very broad wheels--and some eight horses, the driver being mounted on a pony--so as to be able to ride round his team. The following is a very humorous story of a journey by Wagon:--

"A DELIGHTFUL RIDE,

"In the ten-wheeled Caravan, from Greenwich to London.

"We were twenty-four passengers within side, and nine without. It was my lot to sit in the middle, with a very lusty woman on one side, and a very thin man on the other. 'Open the window,' said the former, and she had a child on her lap, whose hands and face were all besmeared with gingerbread. 'It can't be opened,' said a little prim coxcomb, 'or I shall get cold.'--'But I say it shall, Sir,' said a Butcher, who sat opposite to him, and the Butcher opened it; but, as he stood, or rather bent forward to do this, the caravan came into a rut, and the Butcher's head, by the suddenness of the jolt, came into contact with that of the woman who sat next to me, and made her nose bleed. He begged her pardon, and she gave him a slap on the face that sounded through the whole caravan. Two sailors, that were seated near the helm of this machine, ordered the driver to cast anchor at the next public-house. He did so; and the woman next to me, called for a pot of ale, which she offered to me, after she had emptied about a pint of it, observing, that 'as how she loved ale mightily.' I could not drink, at which she took much offence; and said, 'I was mighty squeamish; but thank God, she was as good as I, and kept a lodging-house in Craven St., where she saw _her betters_ every day, and so,' continues she, 'here's to you, my dear:' and she finished the pot. A violent dispute now arose between two stout looking men, the one a Recruiting Sergeant, and the other a Gentleman's Coachman, about the _Rights of Man_: and, having struck two or three blows in the Caravan, they got out into the road, to decide whether _Tom Paine_ was an _Atheist_, or a _Deist_. In this contest, victory fell to the Sergeant, and the driver of the horses was so mauled by the leader of men, that he was lifted into the vehicle, where he sat in sullen silence all the rest of the journey.

"Another dispute afterwards arose about politics, which was carried on with such warmth, as to draw the attention of the company to the head of the Caravan, where the combatants sat wedged together like two pounds of Epping butter, whilst a child incessantly roared at the opposite side, and the mother abused the two politicians for frightening her babe. The heat was now so great that all the windows were opened, and with the fresh air, entered clouds of dust, for the body of the machine is but a few inches from the surface of the road.

"I trust, Mr. Conductor, you will give this journey to London, a place in your paper, and, I am, &c. &c.

"Lucy Treadneedle."

--(_Times, Sept. 5, 1794._)

It will be noticed that then, as now, the _Times_, was a powerful organ for calling public attention to social grievances, and that people "wrote to" that paper as at the present time. We, in our time, know the little social inconveniences arising from staying at Hotels, where, not only does the proprietor charge for attendance, which we, no more than the writer of this letter, can understand is not included in his servants' wages--but we, also, if we want good attendance, have to "tip" the servants as well.

"To the CONDUCTOR of the TIMES.

"Sir,--Having frequent occasion to travel many of the principal roads of England, I have often witnessed the exorbitant demands of Inn-keepers, and the no less serious ones of their domestics, sanctioned only by custom, yet arisen to such a pitch as to become a burthen unable to be borne by the _poor Tradesman_ who is obliged to travel to sell his goods, as well as an inconvenience to the person in _middling circumstances_ of _life_, who, for his health, or otherwise, has occasion to travel. Grievances (the latter of which especially), are only suffered to exist from the disinclination people have to break through a custom, or to appear singular. Having hinted at the former, I shall only shew the nature, and point out a remedy for the latter. It is well known, that let an Innkeeper's bill be ever so exorbitant, you must not only comply with it, but also give the servants just as much as if it was reasonable: so that there is no end of the expence: for instance, if a man who has a horse, puts up at an inn, besides the usual bill, he must at least give 1_s._ to the waiter, 6_d._ to the chamber-maid, 6_d._ to the hostler, and 6_d._ to the jack-boot, making together 2_s._ 6_d._, and this to be repeated every night he lays on the road (I speak now of what's expected from those who appear in middling circumstances of life). The same expence in proportion occurs in the course of the day: at breakfast, you must give at least 6_d._ between the waiter and hostler. If the traveller only puts up to have a refreshment, besides paying for his horse's standing, he must give 3_d._ to the hostler: at dinner 6_d._ to the waiter and 3_d._ to the hostler: at tea 6_d._ between them, so that he gives away in the day 2_s._ 6_d._, which added to the 2_s._ 6_d._ for the night, makes 5_s._ per day on an average to servants. Thus he is putting his hand in his pocket from morning till night, not merely to satisfy the Landlord's demand, but to appease the croaking of domestics, who, it is well known, will let you see, or feel, their displeasure in some way or other if you do not, so that it is disagreeable to go to that inn the second time where you do not behave with profuseness at the first, and there is not only the above inconvenience, but also this, that after all your givings they are not satisfied, but often abuse you for your liberality. The following anecdote proves this:--Coming home from Colchester some time since, I put up at an Inn at Ingatestone, the Innkeeper's bill was as follows:--Supper 1_s._, beer 3_d._, bed 1_s._, horse and corn 1_s._ 7_d._--together 3_s._ 10_d._ I gave away as follows: waiter 1_s._, chambermaid 6_d._, jack-boot 6_d._, hostler, the change out of 2_s._ I paid him for the horse, being 5_d._, together 2_s._ 5_d._, being 1_s._ 5_d._ less than the bill. Yet the hostler was so abusive, because I did not give him more than the odd 5_d._ change, that he actually threatened me that he would mark me if I came there again. I therefore did, what I wish every one would do in the like case, punish him on the spot for his insolence. I appeared to relent that I had not given him more, and desired him to give me the half-pence again that I might see for silver for him, which after he had done, I rode off, leaving him to repent he had not kept what I first gave him. It may be alleged that these servants have little or no wages, and therefore ought to receive liberally. Be that as it may, it is very hard that I am to pay wages to another man's servants. I pay the master his bill, in which he makes a charge sufficient to cover his servants' wages, and then he leaves me to pay his servants besides. If Innkeepers have nothing to pay for servants, their charges ought to be reasonable in proportion. But I would meet another objection that is likely to be made, which is, that what is given to servants at inns is not to be considered as wages, but as their perquisites. There are two answers to this, the one, that the very notion of perquisites, signifies something gotten over and above their usual wages, whereas it is notorious, that most Innkeepers allow their servants no wages: the other, that perquisites signify a gift, now a gift is free, and may be much, or little, as suits the inclination of the giver, but, according to the modern custom at inns, he is not permitted to use his discretion, but there must be a settled sum given to each servant, fixed as to the lowest quantum, though as much above that mark as he pleases, and, if he gives less than custom warrants, they have the impudence to tell him of it. Besides, why should Innkeepers, be exempted from paying their servants wages, any more than any other tradesman. If I go into a shop, to buy a few yards of any thing, I am not charged so much for the trouble of the shopman who cut it off. Tradesmen are contented to pay their servants out of the profit of their bills, without saddling it upon their customers: and I am fully persuaded, were travellers of all descriptions to withhold for a certain time their usual gifts to servants at inns, it would ultimately tend to the benefit of those servants themselves, as well as the comfort of travellers, for when the servants find their finances so low, they would insist upon, and would not hire themselves without stipulated wages, after which, travellers might again resume their former generosity, and what they then gave, would be looked upon in the light it ought, as a gift, and not a debt.

"A Constant Reader."

--(_Times, Oct. 17, 1795._)