Chapter VI: Introduction: 1 (5)

"Sir,--Various are the receipts for cheap puddings, and many
long, and useful, letters have appeared in your very excellent
paper, towards alleviating (as much as is in the power of every
Housekeeper) the scarcity, and dearness, of bread: by
substituting rice, and potatoes, in the room of pies, or flour
puddings: but there still exists an evil which I have not seen
spoken against, and which certainly occasions a very great
consumption of starch: I mean the general fashion which has
prevailed for some years, and does still, from the highest, to
the lowest, of wearing white dresses, which, upon a moderate
computation, for every individual, must consume at least double
the soap, and starch, than when coloured callicoes, silks, and
stuffs, were in fashion: Added to this, that every maid servant
(who, though she is perhaps not worth a second pair of shoes)
will wear her muslin handkerchiefs. I think it is the duty of
every good master, and mistress, to stop, as much as possible,
the present ridiculous, and extravagant, mode of dress in their
domestics. View, on a Sunday, a tradesman's family coming from
church, and you would be puzzled to distinguish the porter from
his master, or the maid from her mistress. Formerly a plaited
cap, and a white handkerchief, served a young woman three, or
four, Sundays. Now a mistress is required to give up, by
agreement, the latter end of the week for her maids to prepare
their caps, tuckers, gowns, &c., for Sunday, and, I am told,
there are houses open on purpose, where those servants who do not
choose their mistresses shall see them, carry their dresses in a
bundle, and put them on, meet again in the evening, for the
purpose of disrobing: and where, I doubt, many a poor, deluded,
creature, has been disrobed of her virtue. They certainly call
aloud for some restraint, both as to their dress, as well as
insolent manner. Tell a servant, now, in the mildest manner, they
have not done their work to please you, you are told to provide
for yourself, and, should you offer to speak again, they are
gone. Surely no set of people are more capable of rendering our
families comfortable, or the reverse, than domestic servants, nor
any set of people who feel the present dearness of provisions so
little. I look upon their exorbitant increase of wages, as
chiefly conducive to their impertinence: for, when they had five,
or six, pounds a year, a month being out of place, was severely
felt; but now their wages are doubled, they have, in a great
measure, lost their dependence: And what is this increase of
wages for? not in order to lay by a little, in case of sickness,
but to squander in dress. No young woman, now, can bear a strong
pair of leather shoes, but they must wear Spanish leather, and so
on in every article of dress. No wonder, then, that there should
be so many prostitutes, and so few good wives.

"By inserting these hints, as soon as you conveniently can, you
will much oblige,

_A Constant Reader_."

--(_Times, Dec. 25, 1795._)

* * * * *

"We trust that the measure, which was, last year, so laudably
attempted by the Brewers, Bakers, and Publicans, for the
abolishing Christmas-Boxes, will not only be continued by them,
but will also be followed up by the other trades, who have
hitherto been compelled, by custom, to continue a practice so
destructive to the lower orders of people."--(_Times, Dec. 17,
1794._)

* * * * *

Advt.--"CHRISTMAS BOXES.--The BUTCHERS, resident within the
Parish of HACKNEY, beg leave respectfully to inform their
Customers, and the Public, that, on account of the excessive high
price of Provisions, they find it impossible to continue the
practice of giving CHRISTMAS BOXES to the servants of their
customers, without sustaining, on the one hand, a deduction from
their profits, which the trade will not allow, or, on the other
hand, increasing their charges: they have, therefore, unanimously
resolved to discontinue the practice, in time to come, and hope
that their conduct, on this occasion, will not be deemed
improper, or disrespectful."--(_Times, Dec. 9, 1795._)

The following Advertisements, which are only a few out of many, shew how common was the sale of Government appointments:--

"Place under Government. £2000 or £3000 or more will be presented
to any Gentleman, who has interest to procure for the Advertiser,
a Place in any of the Public Offices, of respectability, and an
adequate income. No Agent, or Broker, will be attended to.
Letters to be addressed &c., &c."--(_Times, March 13, 1793._)

* * * * *

"Place under Government. To be DISPOSED of, a Genteel Place under
Government: present Salary £100 a year, with the chance of
rising, and other advantages: the next rise will be a
considerable one.--Any Young Gentleman, who can command from 500£
to 1000£ will be treated with: and by addressing a line to A.
Batson's Coffee-house, with real name and place of abode, will be
informed of further particulars. N.B. No Brokers will be attended
to."--(_Times, April 15, 1793._)

* * * * *

"A PLACE under GOVERNMENT.

"To be sold, a permanent Place, which can always be disposed of
at pleasure, the salary £76 per annum, net, payable quarterly,
the attendance not more than 20 times in the year, and about 2 or
3 hours each time: the duty is agreeable, and in the line of a
Gentleman, and can at all times at a small expence be executed by
a Deputy. Address &c., &c."--(_Times, Feb. 3, 1798._)

* * * * *

Advt.--"Three hundred Pounds. An adequate Premium of £300 or
upwards, will be given to any Lady, or Gentleman, who has
interest to procure the Advertiser a Place in one of the
Government Offices. As the parties are of the utmost
respectability, the greatest honour and secrecy may be depended
on. Address to &c., &c."

* * * * *

Advt.--"Fifty Guineas will be given to any Gentleman, or Lady,
who has interest to procure the Advertiser, a young Man, 25 years
of age, a Situation in any of the Public Offices under
Government. Address &c., &c."

* * * * *

Advt.--"A Douceur. Wanted, Information as to Situations in
Public Offices, or other Appointments under Government, at home,
or abroad, which are at present vacant, or like soon to be, or
where those who hold such may be willing to resign, on account of
their advanced time of life, or other circumstances, on a Douceur
being made them. Any person who can give information of this kind
will be waited on at any time, or place, he may appoint. At
meeting, all particular terms, and circumstances, can be
explained. The Advertiser is a person who can give the most
satisfactory testimonials of connections, and abilities, and he
wishes to be understood that the object of this Advertisement
respects Appointments where the emoluments derived from the
Situations may be from £500, down to £200 per ann. The most
perfect secrecy may be relied on--"

* * * * *

Advt.--"Five Hundred Pounds will be given to any Lady or
Gentleman, who can procure the Advertiser a Place under
Government, where the emoluments will be a liberal compensation
for the sum proposed, and but little attendance required: or, if
constant attendance is necessary, it will be expected that the
emoluments should be in proportion. The person who wishes such a
situation, is respectable in his connections, and the most
inviolable secrecy will be observed. No broker will be attended
to. Either in a Civil department, or otherwise. For reference &c.
&c. &c."--(_Times, Jany. 4, 1799._)

Lord Sandwich. Dr. Brilland. Dr. Pair.]

The _Penny Post_ was an institution of those days, although its action was limited as to distance. The following excerpts will enable us to notice its different phases, during the years treated of:--

"The Postmaster General has lately established a Penny Post at
Manchester, which promises great convenience to the inhabitants
of that place, and its vicinity."--(_Times, April 17, 1793._)

* * * * *

"The new Penny Post Office is likely to prove such a very great
accommodation to the public, that the only wonder is--it has been
so long neglected. Instead of the number of deliveries, and the
hours of despatch, varying in different parts of the town, as at
present, there will be six deliveries, each day, in all parts of
the town: by which means, a person living at Mary-le-bonne, may
send letters to, or receive letters from, Limehouse, a distance
of seven miles, five times a day. Persons putting in letters by
nine in the morning at the distance of ten miles from the chief
Penny Post Office, and later, at less distant parts, may receive
answers from London the same afternoon. There will be three
deliveries of letters, in most parts of the country, within the
limits of the Penny Post; and there will be two posts, daily,
from all parts within the distance of ten miles from Lombard
St."--(_Times, Feb. 28, 1794._)

* * * * *

"The proposed plan of a new Penny Post is no longer talked
of:--It is every day more, and more, wanted, as the present mode
is extremely irregular, and insufficient. According to the new
plan, the Penny Post was to have gone out seven times a
day."--(_Times, May 4, 1794._)

* * * * *

"The PENNY POST.

"The late regulations in the Penny Post Office are certainly of
the most essential service to the public: but the conduct of the
Letter Carriers requires the most minute attention. They wall
defraud where they think they can do it with impunity; and as an
instance of this, we give the following fact. From any part of
the Metropolis, to the Borough of Southwark, and its adjacent
parts, is stated to be but _One penny_ per Letter. The Carriers,
however, uniformly charged 2d. per Letter. A Complaint of this
imposition was made to the Comptroller, by a Gentleman, whose
house is in the Blackfriars Road, and an immediate answer was
given 'that the Carrier had been severely reprimanded,' and the
surcharge had been returned. His removal from that walk, gave his
successor, who, perhaps, did not hear of this reprimand, an
opportunity to continue the same imposition, and the letters to
Blackfriars Road, and in other parts of St. George's Fields, were
again charged 2d. The Comptroller was again applied to, and on
the next evening, he wrote a letter to the person who sends this
for publication, 'that the Carrier was ordered to return the
surcharge.' The publication of this circumstance is requisite, as
no doubt, similar extortions are practised in other parts of the
suburbs. This is a matter that ought to be universally made
known, as cent. per cent., even on a _penny_, is rather too much
for a man, illegally, to pay."--(_Times, Oct. 27, 1794._)

"Franking," as the privilege of free postage was called, had already assumed dimensions, so as to have become a scandal, which is well exposed in the following notices:--

"Motion respecting Clerks in Office.

"Mr. _Dent_ said ... Public notoriety went to accuse the offices
of great abuse of the privilege of franking ... that such abuses
did exist, and to give the proofs of them was the object which he
proposed to gain by his present motion. He would state to the
House some of the abuses. Certain bags came to the Post Office,
marked Ordnance, Navy, Treasury Bags, &c., and the letters
contained in these bags were furthered without more enquiry.
These bags, perhaps, contained a great quantity of letters from
the various Clerks: he could produce an instance of a very
inferior Clerk, who had franked to a great amount, by placing his
initials on the superscription. He had looked attentively over
the list of those who had the privilege, and he did not find his
name among them.... Among other instances, he would mention a Mr.
Lackington, a celebrated bookseller; he had friends in some one
of the Offices, and the whole of his Catalogues were franked to
different parts of the country. It was also notorious, that some
persons had written to their country correspondents, that if they
would deal with them, the whole mass of pamphlets published in
London should be sent them free of postage: this was done by
means of the Clerks in office. In short, there were persons whose
salaries amounted to only £300, or £400 per annum, who from their
situation, made £1000 or £1200. It surely could not be the
intention of the House to permit such malversation, and,
therefore, he should move for a Committee to enquire into these
facts. Before the late regulation, venison has passed as nimbly,
by the post, as it run when alive in its native park. After
further conversation, the House divided.--For the Question, 53;
Against it, 41.--Majority, 12."

"It would have been extraordinary indeed, if Sir Benjamin Hammett
had not opposed the Franking Bill: for we are informed from very
good authority, that Letters franked by, and addressed to, him
only, are to the amount of £2400 sterling _per annum_."--(_Times,
March 11, 1795._)

* * * * *

"Debate on Franking.

"Mr. _Hobart_ brought up the Report of the Committee upon the
Bill to restrain the abuse of Franking.

"Mr. _Dent_ said, he was sorry to add, that this privilege had
been notoriously abused, and was so publicly known, that
paragraphs had appeared in a newspaper, of a Member having
received £300 annually, from a mercantile house, to give them the
advantage of this privilege. He hoped this fact was false, but he
feared, however, it would be found too well warranted. By this
Bill, Members were to receive only fifteen letters, and send ten,
therefore the abuse, to this extent, could not be continued. At
the same time, he thought, and should, bye-and-bye, more
particularly state, in the motion he should submit to the House,
that, when they were curtailing their own privileges, the Clerks
in office should not be permitted to continue their abuses.

"Mr. _Courtenay_ said, by the official returns it appeared that
£30,000 was franked by the various offices, which amounted to one
third of the whole of what was franked by Members of Parliament.
Now the privilege was restrained in Members of Parliament, it
would become more valuable to the Clerks in Office, and he should
not wonder, if some of them should become not sleeping, but
_writing_, partners in mercantile houses....

"Mr. _Dent_ observed, abuses in the offices did exist to a very
great degree. The Commissioners of the Customs received large
Packets which contained letters to all their acquaintances in
Town: the abuse did not end here: 20 Custom-House Porters were
immediately dispatched to 20 different parts of the town.

"Mr. _W. Smith_ said, ... Public notoriety was sufficient grounds
to proceed against the Offices. Though all those letters were
superscribed for His Majesty's service, yet they went upon many
other purposes. A friend of his had informed him of some Vine
cuttings, which had been sent to Ireland, franked: he also knew
of a silk gown franked into the country: this was hardly for His
Majesty's service.

"Mr. _Rose_ said, if those abuses, mentioned by the Hon.
Gentleman, had been privately intimated, they would have had
immediate attention and some remedy applied. The laws to prevent
the abuse of franking had been transmitted to the several
Offices, and by them the first offence was a penalty, and the
second, a dismissal from Office.

"The Bill was ordered to be read a third time on
Friday."--(_Times, April 14, 1795._)

The following are to be the new rates of Postage in this country:--

"For every single Letter by post, for any distance not exceeding
15 miles, be charged 3d. Double letters 6d. Triple 9d. Those of 1
ounce weight, 1s., and so, in proportion.

"Above 15 miles, and not exceeding 30, for single Letters 4d.,
and so, in the same proportion.

"Above 30 miles, and not exceeding 60, 5d., and so, in
proportion.

"Above 60 miles and not exceeding 100, 6d., and so, in
proportion.

"Above 100 miles, and not exceeding 150, 7d., and so, in
proportion.

"All above 150 miles, 8d., &c.

"Upon every single Letter to Scotland, 1d., the rates of Postage
remaining the same, on double letters, 2d., &c.

"That the present rates of Postage between London, and Portugal,
and between London, and British America, do cease.

"From any part of Great Britain, to Portugal, exclusive of Inland
Postage, every single letter, 1s., &c.

"The same from any part of Great Britain, to British America.

"The Inland Postage upon said Letters according to
distance."--(_Times, Dec. 12, 1796._)

The following paragraph is interesting, as it fixes the date of the Postal Uniforms--the colours of which are still adhered to by the Postal authorities, in clothing the Mail drivers:--

"The Post Office Letter Carriers in London are to be provided
with an uniform of red coats, faced with blue, and to wear
numbers."--(_Times, Feb. 10, 1793._)

* * * * *

"There is at this time a third of the Mail Guards ill, either
from the intenseness of the severe weather or from colds they
have caught in the floods: their exertions were in general very
great, and meritorious, in saving the Mails."--(_Times, Feb. 19,
1795._)

We are here presented with the infancy of Telegraphing--which was then a marvel of the age--but which we, from our standpoint of Electricity, must fain smile at. They were mechanical contrivances placed on hills, or other eminences.

"The Telegraph.--This mode of communication is little understood
here, although the invention be not a new one. The process is
getting possession of _heights_ at convenient distances, and by
fire-works, in different forms, for different letters, _spelling_
the order, or intelligence, from station, to station!"--(_Times,
Sept. 11, 1794._)

* * * * *

"The new mode of correspondence, by the help of which, the
surrender of _Quesnoy_ was known at Paris an hour after the entry
of the French troops into that place, is a communication by
signals, which are repeated from distance, to distance, by
machines, stationed four, or five, leagues asunder. This may
explain the celerity with which communications are made.

"The _telegraph_, now brought into use by the French, appears to
have been an invention of Dr. Hooper's, and published in his
Rational Recreations, in 1774. The plan of which may be seen in
his 'Visual Correspondence.'"--(_Times, Sept. 15, 1794._)

* * * * *

"The invention of the Telegraphe, does not belong alone to the
French. About ten years ago, Count Possini at Rome, invented a
mode of getting intelligence from Naples, in the course of an
hour. The Lottery at Rome, depends upon that drawn at Naples. It
differs from our Lottery, materially, for there are but six
prizes, and these are the first six numbers drawn, and the
remainder are all blanks. The Count, whose house is on an
eminence near Rome, managed with his confederates, who were
placed at certain distances, between Naples, and his estate, to
have sky rockets let off, by which they had previously fixed with
each other, to ascertain by such signals, any particular number,
or numbers, drawn. The plan succeeded, as Tickets continued to be
sold in Rome, for several hours after the drawing commenced at
Naples, the account of which was always brought by the ordinary
courier. By this scheme the party got about 100,000 crowns, and
the plot would never have been discovered, had not the Count
purchased the whole of the six prizes, which caused suspicion,
and of course, excited enquiry."--(_Times, Sept. 16, 1794._)

* * * * *

"Astley, who is always employed in the production of something
new, brings out, this evening, an exhibition of the much talked
of, and ingenious Machine, called the Telegraphe, at the
_Lyceum_, in the Strand."--(_Times, Sept. 19, 1794._)

* * * * *

"The invention of the Telegraphe, is now traced back to 1655, and
particularly mentioned in a little book, then written, and
published, by the Marquis of Worcester, inventor of the Steam
Engine. He there gives it the name of _Visual Correspondence_,
and calls it his own invention."--(_Times, Sept. 20, 1794._)

* * * * *

"Experiments are now making at Woolwich with a new species of the
Telegraphe, to ascertain at what distance intelligence can be
conveyed by it during the night. It is composed of letters, or
figures, nine feet high, cut out in a board, which is painted
black in front, and strongly illuminated behind by patent lamps
with reflectors; it is placed on the top of the butt against
which the cannon are proved, and proper persons are stationed at
Purfleet, and other intermediate places, with telescopes, to
determine at what distance letters of that size are legible at
night, by which means any word may be written, by a succession of
letters, and intelligence may be conveyed, with astonishing
celerity, during the night, by having a series of different
signal-houses at proper distances between whatever places
information is intended to be communicated."--(_Times, Oct. 7,
1794._)

* * * * *

"It has been said, that a conversation had actually taken place
across the Channel, between Donaghadee and Port Patrick, by means
of a Telegraph. The following are the particulars: Two Gentlemen
of the county of Longford have been, for sometime past, making
experiments, in different positions, in that county, and they
succeeded so well, as to induce them to undertake the journey to
Donaghadee, where the Channel between Britain and Ireland is the
narrowest, being about 18 Irish miles across. They brought down
their machinery with them, and, having erected one on each side,
they conversed with each other, on Monday evening last, the
weather being tolerably clear. The conversation that passed was
as follows--The Gentleman on this side said 'I see you, being
white, distinctly.' The other replied 'I see you; I wish your's
was white also.' (The machine on this side being black.) The
Gentleman on this side then asked 'What o'clock is it?' and was
answered 'Six.' He then said 'I will shew lights at nine o'clock,
do you attend.' He was answered 'I will attend, but I have only
one light.' They then made signals of 'good night,' and the
communication ended. The machine consists of a triangle, with two
long sides and a short one, suspended in the air vertically; it
turns on a pivot, and is capable of being put into eight
different positions, very distinct from each other. These
positions represent eight of the common numerical figures, and
these figures, according to their position, denote certain words
and sentences, according to a preconcerted dictionary, or
vocabulary, alphabetically, as well as numerically, arranged. It
is believed this machine is on a principle totally different from
the French."--(_Times, Sept, 11, 1795._)

* * * * *

"A chain of Telegraphs is erected from Shuter's Hill to Dover.
_Gad's Hill_, and _Barham Hill_, are the intermediate
posts."--(_Times, Dec. 30, 1795._)

* * * * *

"Telegraphe.--An improvement on this post-haste mode of
travelling, has been offered to the Administration, by two
foreigners, who demand £40,000 for the discovery, if it should be
found to answer; if it does not, like quacks of another
description, they retire with nothing but the shame of the
attempt. These foreigners undertake to convey intelligence to all
parts of the world, by letter as quick as thought. Certain globes
are to be constructed, that, by the power of electricity and
attraction, a packet, large as a horse can carry, shall be sent
to and from Dublin, in about the time requisite for dispatching a
breakfast!! _Credat Judeus!_"--(_Times, Jan. 12, 1796._)

In or about 1796, was instituted the semaphore telegraph--which, until the introduction of the Electric Telegraph, was the best system out.

"The most important services which can be rendered to the public
by the Telegraph, is in cases similar to that which occurred last
week, in forwarding the news from Deal to London, of the sailing
of the Dutch Fleet, within the space of five minutes. This prompt
conveyance of the intelligence enabled the Admiralty Board to
take such speedy measures for sending a fleet out after the
enemy. When the Telegraph is established between London and other
ports as well as Deal, the advantage will be very great
indeed."--(_Times, Mar. 2, 1796._)

* * * * *

"The English are remarkable for improving upon the inventions of
their Gallic neighbours. It is well known, that while these
aerial wanderers were tumbling down like so many Phaetons from
Heaven, we were driving about securely in balloon-coaches, and
eating balloon-cakes, and balloon-oysters. The same advantage has
resulted from the telegraph, which, beside christening a coach,
and a newspaper, is now transferred to the heads of our ladies,
and has given us telegraphic hats and telegraphic caps. By this
invention a female will travel to Edinburgh, through the
observatory at York, Doncaster, Grantham and Huntingdon, from the
principal machine in Bond Street, in the time of three Operas, or
twenty-four Routs."--(_Times, Oct. 15, 1796._)

* * * * *

"Since the invention of the _Coiffure télégraphique_ it is
scarcely possible to follow the rapidity of the fashions. The
morning dress and the evening dress mean literally the dress of
the day they are worn in. It was observed, with concern, at Drury
Lane the other evening, that the Lady P's were more than _half an
hour_ out of fashion."--(_Times, Oct. 21, 1796._)

Among the various tyrannies of fashion, none, perhaps was more curious than that of powdering the hair. Taxation, and the French _mode_ of "Cropping" killed it, but it died hard.--The Tax was treated both jocularly, and _au grand serieux_.

EPIGRAM.

"On the Hair Powder Licence Tax, at a time when general
Expectation looked for a tax on Dogs:--

"Full many a chance, or dire mishap,
Oft'times between the lip, and cup, is;
The Tax, that should have _hung_ our Dogs,
Excuses them, and falls on Puppies."

--(_Times, Mar. 11, 1795._)

* * * * *

"A tax on Dogs would certainly have been unobjectionable, as well
as expedient, in a two-fold degree; first in creating a revenue,
and secondly, in lessening the number of them. At the present
period particularly, a tax on Dogs would have a good effect, as
it is a well known fact, that the coarser parts of meat are
scarcely to be had by the poor, because the rich can afford to
buy them for their dogs."--(_Times, Apr. 11, 1795._)

* * * * *

"The Tax on Powdered Heads is calculated to produce £450,000 per
annum, though the Minister has only calculated it at £200,000.
Some Gentlemen are said to have made an offer to farm it at
£400,000."--(_Times, Mar. 25, 1795._)

* * * * *

"Hair Powder Tax."

"An Annual Certificate to be taken out by every person wearing
hair-powder, price one-guinea: every sort, or composition, of
powder worn as an article of dress, to be deemed within the
meaning of the Act. The Royal Family, and their immediate
Servants; Clergymen, whose annual income is under £100;
Subaltern, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Privates of the Army,
Militia, Marines, and Fencible Corps; Officers of the Navy, under
the rank of Commander; Officers, and Privates, in Corps of
Yeomanry, or Volunteers; Dissenting Preachers in holy orders, or
pretended holy orders, whose annual income is under £100, are
exempted. Persons having more than two daughters unmarried, to
pay only for two.

"Persons wearing Powder without a Certificate, to forfeit £20.
Persons selling, transferring, or using, a Certificate, with
intent to defraud the revenue, to forfeit £30."--(_Times, May 7,
1795._)

* * * * *

"The Powder Tax has already produced three hundred thousand
pounds to Government. The term is to be extended by Act of
Parliament, and, according to the most probable conjectures, the
final amount will be double that sum.

"The Duke of Devonshire has paid five and thirty guineas for his
family. The Duchess of Northumberland, a single guinea for
herself: powder is under interdiction among the rest of that
family: though not from motives of disaffection. Her Grace
assigns a more justifiable motive; namely, a scruple of
contributing, in any unnecessary way, to the present
scarcity."--(_Times, June 12, 1795._)

* * * * *

"_Hair Powder Tax._ The Caricaturists, who generally paint so
plain, that those who run may read, have whimsically described
the two orders of beings, who do, and do not, pay. The first are
aptly enough termed _Guinea_ Pigs--the latter, Pigs without a
_Guinea_!"--(_Times, July 1, 1795._)

* * * * *

"The Commander in Chief of Brighton Camp has notified to the
Officers, that the use of Flour, for the privates, will be
dispensed with, during the present scarcity of Wheat."--(_Times,
July 15, 1795._)

* * * * *

"HAIR POWDER. To all those whom it may concern.

"Among the many ingenious, and humane, projects that have been
devised for lessening the consumption of Flour, and soothing the
minds of the poor, at this interesting period, it is a matter of
no small astonishment to me, that that of sacrificing our
hair-powder, has not been more universally adopted. To the
antiquated virgin, indeed, who still sighs, and hopes, and whose
silvery locks might prove too sure an index of that worldly
experience, which, for certain prudential reasons, she might wish
to conceal, I confess the sacrifice is too great to be expected.
To the unhappy _hen-peck'd bald-pate_, whose lively wife
nauseates, and detests, the careless _brown-bob_, something may
be said in his behalf, also: but, to every other character,
whether the grave judge, or respectable grandmother, the buxom
widow, or the broad shouldered Irish fortune-hunter, the flirting
coquette, or her coxcomb colleague, the hardy veteran, or flashy
militia captain, the pert lawyer, or the young priggish parson:
and lastly, the smart apprentice, who _beflours_ his head to cut
a dash at the Dog and Duck, or Bagnigge Wells: all these, I say,
and every other character that I have omitted to name, can surely
have no possible excuse for thus insulting the feelings of the
poor. I repeat the word _insulting_, for it is the just and
proper epithet; for what can we term it but insult, to be thus
playing with the feelings of these poor wretches, at a moment
when they are suffering the greatest of all worldly
miseries--_want_."--(_Times, Aug. 10, 1795._)

* * * * *

"A morning Paper of yesterday, mentions by name, that a Nobleman
of the highest rank, in this country, was, last week, summoned to
the Police-Office, Queen's Square, for wearing powder without
being licensed. The defence set up that his Grace, being a
_Menial Servant_, in the King's Household, was exempt from the
Tax: which, being admitted, the matter was dismissed.--We trust
that this information is not authentic, for it would be a most
pitiful subterfuge to evade the payment of a tax, which is
generally allowed to be a proper one." (_Times, Feb. 1,
1797._)--(_Query, the Duke of Portland._)

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._)

* * * * *

"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._)

* * * * *

"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._)

* * * * *

"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._)

* * * * *

"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._)

* * * * *

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._)

* * * * *

"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._)

* * * * *

"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._)

* * * * *

"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._)

* * * * *

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._)

* * * * *

"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._)

* * * * *

"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._)

* * * * *

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.