"The Beef Trade, though it declined a market day, or two, in the heat of the weather, is nearly up again to its enormous Spring prices: a good bullock being now worth 4s. 6d. per stone. Veal, Mutton, and Lamb, are getting down, but Pork still fetches 10s. a score. Lean stock, of every kind, is excessively dear, and difficult to be obtained, on any terms, that of the sheep kind, in particular."—(Times, Sep. 5, 1796.)
"The great importance of the Distilleries, in the article of fatted hogs, may be judged of, in some degree, by the number turned out of the distilleries, in Surrey alone, which are estimated at 11,700 a year, valued at £46,215, besides the great number fed in the starch yards. It is said, that all the distilleries in the Kingdom, when in full work, send to market, weekly, near 30,000 hogs: during the last year, they were at a total stand, and the price of bacon has been enormous."—(Times, Oct. 26, 1796.)
Some of the great ones of the land set a good example of economy to their poorer brethren—the King among the number.
"The Margrave of Anspach sets a princely example of economy to his betters: his table is furnished by contract, and the daily expence exceeds not half-a-guinea per head. Of course, the purveyor takes the needful care of broken victuals: whilst Sir Harry, and the Duke's servant, fare equally alike in that larder, where Miss Kitty or Mrs. Cook have nought to give, but bread and cheese, and kisses."—(Times, June 22, 1795.)
"His Majesty has given orders for the bread used in his household, to be made of meal, and rye, mixed. No other sort is permitted to be baked, and the Royal Family eat bread of the same quality as their servants do. It is extremely sweet, and palatable.
"One half flour, and half potatoes, also make a very excellent bread."—(Times, July 22, 1795.)
"The writer of this paragraph has seen the bread that is eaten at His Majesty's table. It consists of two sorts only, the one composed of wheaten flour, and rye, mixed; the other is half wheaten flour, half potatoe flour. If ever example deserved imitation, it is surely this."—(Times, July 30, 1795.)
The Court of Aldermen had the power of apportioning the price of bread according to the price of wheat—thus affording the baker a fair profit, and protecting the consumer.
"Yesterday, a Court of Aldermen was held at Guildhall, which came to a resolution to raise the price of bread to a Shilling the Quartern Loaf."—(Times, July 8, 1795.)
"The price of Flour having risen 4s. per sack, the Court of Common Council ordered the assize of bread to one shilling and a halfpenny per quartern loaf."—(Times, July 23, 1795.)