15 Decr 1801

Maximum

4

First, there was no deficiency: and those whose degree of assurance rises with

the deficiency or /and/ doubtfulness of the evidence were too sure of it, to

hear with patience of an opinion on the other side. When at length the existence

of a deficiency great beyond all example was too notorious to be denied and has

been not the smallest encrease /enhancement/ of prices endurable, and when

remorse, remorse for having for so many months been venting obloquy against high

and low and exerting discontents upon false grounds, should have produced /wrung

confession/ contrition and apologies from any least susceptible of it – then at

last some enhancement /advance of price/ was admitted to be allowable

/endurable/ in consideration of the deficiency. But what enhancement? – above

what price – and in what degree above that price? {This was never answered

/said/ because in the nature of things} No answer to either of these questions:

for in the nature of things it was impossible to give one: and still more were

to be consigned to infamy for presuming to depart from a standard which had

neither been set up nor attempted to be set up {nor was capable of being set up

-} by any body: and the non-compliance with these non-existing rules was given

as a mark /symptom/ of /of a most wide-spreading as well as/ unexampled degree

/measure/ of hard heartedness and depravity, in an age and country which has

much still to learn in the book of wisdom, but of which charity, as far as the

poor are concerned is the characteristic excellence.