Page:Curious catechism.pdf/4



MANY excellent things have been lately published concerning the present scarcity of provisions; and many causes have been assigned for it. But is not something wanting in most of those publications? One writer assigns one cause; another one or two more, and strongly insists upon them ; but who has assigned all the causes that manifestly concur to produce this melancholy effect, at the same time pointing out how each particular cause affects the price of each particular sort of provision?

I would willingly offer, to candid and benevolent men, a few hints on this important subject; proposing a few questions, and adding to each what seems to be plain and direct answers.

1. I ask, first, Why are thousands of people starving, perishing for want, in every part of the united kingdom? The fact I know: I have seen it with my eyes, in every corner of the land. I have known those who could only afford to eat a little coarse food every other day. I have known one picking up stinking sprats from a dunghill, and carrying them home for herself and her children. I have known another gathering the bones which the dogs had left in the streets and making broth of them to prolong a wretched life! Such is the case at this day, of multitudes of people, in a land flowing with milk and honey! abounding with all the necessaries, the conveniences, the superfluities of life!

Now why is this? Why have all these nothing to