Page:Curious catechism.pdf/6

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countrymen? "But otherwise the swine for the navy cannot be fed." Not unless they are fed with human flesh! Not unless they are fatted with human blood! O tell it not in Constantinople! that the British raise the royal revenue by selling the flesh and blood of their countrymen.

Surely this is evidence sufficient for the establishment of Temperance Societies, which at present promise to do so much good.

4. But why are oats so dear?

Because there are four times the horses kept (to speak within compass) for coaches and chaises in particular, that were some years ago. Unless therefore four times the oats grow now which grew then, they cannot be at the same price. If only twice as much is now produced (which perhaps is near the truth) the price will naturally be double to what it was.

To the ruinous Corn Bill may be attributed our present dearth of provisions, and what is still worse, that want of interchange of property which might go on, as other countries will not receive our produce because we will not accept of theirs.

As the dearness of grain of one kind will naturally raise the price of another, so whatever causes the dearness of wheat and oats, must raise the price of barley too. To account therefore for the dearness of this, we need only remember what has been observed above; although some particular causes may concur in producing the same effect.

5. Why are mutton and beef so dear?

Because most of the considerable farmers, particularly in the northern counties, who used to breed large numbers of sheep or horned cattle, and frequently both, no longer trouble themselves with either sheep, or cows, or oxen, as they can turn their land to far better account by breeding horses alone. Such is the