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the People of Fish Countries, are remarkable for their Longevity; and all Fish Towns, it has often been remarked, are swarming with Children. That there is, however, any peculiar prolific Charm in a Fish diet, I am far from contending, though it has often been believed to have that Effect. Fish is not only a wholesome but always a ready Diet, and is capable of being dressed in a variety of Ways at little Expense, so that even the Poorest, with the same Materials, may every Day vary their Dish without cloying their Appetite. Most sorts of white Fish, with the assistance of a little Rice or Flour, make the most delicious Soups, and may also have their Stuffing as well as a fillet of Veal; but superior in relish and flavour. A stuffed Cod'shead, with Soup seasoned with a few Herbs, is in some places, one of their greatest luxuries, and procured at almost no Expense. Of all the ways of using Fish, indeed this is by far the most nutricious and economical, and best suited to the wants of a poor Family, as well as the most palatable. All this it may be said, is very true; but how are the poor to be supplied with Fish in LONDON, where, from its high Price, it can find its way only to the Tables of the Great? Fish is too dainty a Morsel for their palates, and it is only on a Holiday, or when the Mackerel and Sprats are very cheap, that they can afford such a Treat; and even then, they are dearer than going to the Pork-shops or to a Butcher's-stall in Clare Market. This must appear extraordinary, when we consider the Situation of LONDON, and that every Creek, every River, and every Stream is swarming with Myriads of the finny Tribe. The Evil must be owing, in a great measure to political Causes; and it is to be hoped, that the Legislature will lend its Early Aid, to discover and maintain, with properly adjudged Rewards, some Mode of obtaining a more regular and profuse Supply.

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Whilst upon this Topic of Provisions, the annual Consumption of them in the METROPOLIS, may be aptly introduced, premising, that there are perhaps but very few Cities, where such an immense Quantity of Animal Food, in particular, is made use of. This may be accounted for, in some measure, by its being more favourable to Labour. We can subsist longer upon it than Vegetables; that is, we are sooner hungry after the latter, which shews that its Nourishment is sooner exhausted*.

Nature seems to have provided Animals for Man's Use, from the astonishing Increase of some valuable Sorts. For instance, Pigeons and Rabbits, but their Multiplication is nothing to that of the Cod, in the Roe of which there are Millions. It is also to be considered, if Animals were not killed for Food, we should greatly diminish the Comforts of Life. Besides Meat, we obtain, by the Slaughter of Animals, many important Articles; as Leather for Shoes, &c. Fat for Candles or Soap, &c. &c. it is likewise to be remembered, that without Animal Food, so numerous a Mass of Human Beings could not be maintained, more especially in bleak and Northern Countries, where the fine and most useful Class of Vegetables, are raised with Difficulty. The late Sir EDWARD BERRY prevailed with a Man to live for Eight Days, upon Partridges, without Vegetables, but was obliged to desist, from the Appearance of strong Symptoms of Putrefaction. The Result of this Experiment shews, that a Mixture of Vegetables with Animal Food, is indispensably requisite.

That LONDON has largely added to its Inhabitants, the Reports

* It appears from a Patient received into the general Hospital at VIENNA, with a perforated Stomach, that Flesh Meat was constantly digested with Expedition and Ease, but that Vegetables, for the most part, were much longer in undergoing this Process.

on the Population and Consumption of England, fully prove. It is as follows.

The RESOLUTIONS in the Committee of Agriculture, introductory to the Bill now pending in Parliament, for inclosing the WASTE LANDS, were to the following Effect:

1. That much of the COUNTRY, though IMPROVEABLE, is still WASTE.

2. That this Improvement, with the ensuing Drainage and Division, might be facilitated by a GENERAL LAW.

3. That this Improvement is wanting, as one means of providing for an INCREASED POPULATION! The Quantity of indigenous BREAD-CORN, hitherto raised, being insufficient for HOME Consumption.

The very interesting Document in Support of this Position, that the POPULATION is increased, at least in LONDON, is adjoined.

It is an account of the Sales in SMITHFIELD MARKET, from the year 1732 to 1794, both inclusive.

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It is to be observed also, that the Size and Weight both of Cattle and Sheep, have probably increased at least one fourth since 1732;

according to which Rate, the Consumption of Meat, per pound, has augmented, besides the Addition in point of Number.

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Consequently the Increase, in 62 Years, amounts to the enormous Number of 32,854 Head of Cattle, and 203,290 Sheep, for the METROPOLIS alone.

The Average Weight of Oxen killed for the LONDON Market A. D. 1700, is 370lbs. of Calves, 50lbs. of Sheep, 28lbs. Now, 1812, the Oxen weigh 800lbs. the Calves 140lbs. the Sheep 80lbs. and Lambs are generally about 50lbs *.

* This Copy of an Inventory of Farming Stock, on a Farm at Newick, taken in the Year 1737, will shew the different Value, (or rather nominal Value), of some of those Animals and Effects, which constitute the Necessaries of Life :—

An Inventory of the goods and chattels of Margaret Jenkin, Widow, lately dis

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From January 4th, to December 30th, 1808, there were sold at SMITHFIELD, Beasts, 152,660, Sheep, and Lambs 1,045,210, Calves, 17,750, Pigs, 34,110.

trained for Rent, and Arrears of Rent, due to Lord MANSEL, done the 23d day of October, 1737:

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As a Contrast to the foregoing, at the SALE of Mr. FOWLER, of Little Rollright, in Oxfordshire, March 1791, SULTAN a two year old BULL, fetched Two Hundred and ten Guineas, WASHINGTON of the same Age, and doubtless of equal Renown as to Lineage, Two Hundred and five Guineas. BRINDLED BEAUTY, a Cow, (every way, it is to be presumed, worthy, to be admitted into this Sultan's Seraglio,) happily found a Purchaser at Two Hundred and Sixty Guineas. Even Washington's MOTHER was deemed a Bargain, at One Hundred and Eighty-five, whilst the Young SULTAN at One Year old, was destined to dignify some Amateur's Stock, at the low Value of Two Hundred Guineas.

Upon Mr. PAGET retiring to a smaller Farm, in 1793, his Cattle came to the Hammer. SHAKESPEARE, a BULL, bred by the above Mr. FoWLER, sold for Four

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