Food For The Poor.

which is deficiency of good and cheap animal food , due , as it is alleged by the retail butchers , to the cattle plague . Matters may be smooth enough with those with AA'hom the price of provision is of ¦ comparatively no importance , but the AA ant of sufficient animal nutriment must tend most

fearfully to increase the distress and sickness amongst the working classes . Our present object is to point out how and to what extent this evil may be modified by a little self-denial on the part of the upper and middle circles of society . There is no doubt that if money Avere asked for ,

it Avould be subscribed abundantly enough , but what is really requisite to be done AA'ill probably be found almost impossible , because although people Avho are inclined to be charitable in the matter of giving aAvay money , are numerous enough , yet there are in comparison very few sufficiently charitable to yield up any portion of their own

comfort to serve philanthropical purposes , and it appears to us that it is only by such a course that the evil of which Ave are treating can be mitigated . According to the most elementary principles of social economy , prices of any commodities are fixed solely by the relations existing betAveen

supply and demand , hence , if one of these conditions be out of our poAver to control , Ave must eadeavour to regulate the other . The practical condition of things at present is , that the supply of sound meat to the various markets has diminished considerably , Avhile the demand is constantly

increasing ; but Ave must not stop at the question of meat only , for other comestibles , such as milk and butter ( and subsequently cheese also ) , are affected , and , according to accounts , the infection is spreading to the poultry yards , so that almost every description of animal food is rendered scarce by the fearful malady Avhich has invaded our shores .

Over the supply of food Ave have scarcely any power , and certainly none to guard against accidents or afflictions such as noAV prevail , and it is even doutful to Avhat extent they may be miti-¦ gated , by the precautions taken to prevent the importation of diseased cattle , and the means

adopted here to eradicate the complaint from those districts in Avhich it has already taken root ; but every one of us has it in his or her poAver in some degree to regulate the demand , and by reducing that , in the first instance the prices would be necessarily lowerand in addition to this the

, quantity supplied to the markets would become capable of satisfying a greater number of people . It is tolerably certain that most people consume considerably more solid food than is necessary to support life comfortably , and a notable number , even more than is consistent with the

preservation of health : hence there is ample room for retrenchment iu this matter ; and if those who now ' consume tAvice or thrice Avhat is actually necessary were to restrict themselves , as far as -the scarce descriptions of provisions are concerned

Food For The Poor.

to a moderate alloAvance , there can be not the slightest doubt that they would be rendering much greater service than by mere gifts of money , because , that Avhich they do not consume , is so much the more for those AVIIO would otherwise have to go Avithout it ; and the price being

reduced , the money given aAvay in charity Avould , by going further , effect a greater amount of good , thus a double advantage is bestoAved upon the poor by a little self-denial on the part of the rich . A great evil of insufficient food is found to exist in the consequent spread of disease and

increase of mortality , and it is clear that , so longas those AVIIO have the money to pay any price to satisfy their appetites , continue to buy up all the most strengthening food , so long it will be impossible for the poor to be supplied Avith it , no matter 1 IOAV munificent may be the

contributions in money toAvards their relief . In conclusion , Ave Avill observe that the kind of self-denial to which we have alluded hecomes under the present state of affairs , not only a work of great charity , but morel it is a positive duty Avhich Ave OAVB to our fellow creatures , and further ,

to our Creator , for those AAdiich He has made , it is our undeniable duty to take all measures to preserve to the ends for Avhich they may be intended . If we only consider the case selfishly , Ave find our OAvn interests served by folioAving the right path , as increased mortality amongst the Avorking classes must necessarily increase the cost of labour .

Agricultural Life.

AGRICULTURAL LIFE .

"Beneath a holm , repair'd two jolly swains ; Their sheep and goats together grazed tho plains ; Both young arcadians , both alike inspired To sing , and answer as the song required . ****** Alternate rhyme the ready champions chose , These C' orydoii rcliears'd , and Thyrsi ' s those . "

Virg , Part VII . HOAV thrice blessed , it is said , must those be Avhose happy fate it is to enjoy a pastoral life , hoAV free aro they from the Avorldly cares Avhich ever harass the minds of such as dwell and have their

occupations in large toAvns , teeming Avith iniquity and sensuality , Avhere love of gain is the fruitful source of fraud , and luxury invites disease . In the pleasant vales Avhere the sheep quietly graze , and the sun sheds a golden light on the ripening grain , these evils are not , cannot surely exist . Amid

soothing scenes , Avith all that is necessary for life , IIOAV innocently and happily must the time pass . Or is this but a dream ? did Virgil sing of the poet shepherds but as imaginations ? or have things changed ? Corydon's song has died aAvay with Corydonand there is none to fill his place .

, The members of the Craft , ever mindful of the Avelfare of their fellow men , cannot fail to hear with deep interest of aught that affects it , and more especially in cases where the strong deal with the Aveak .