"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.)
"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.)
"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.)
"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.)
A pretty Bar-maid.