sisting of 114 persons, males and females, all adults, there was consumed in 1841

34,914 lbs. of meat, being per head 0-833077 lb., or 3064 lbs.

In this establishment, as well as in the family just described, the quantities consumed were at the discretion of the individual members. This may not have been the case with the following institutions, into the management of which a control of the expenditure would necessarily enter, so at least as to prevent waste, but without stinting.

No. 3. In an asylum consisting of nine superintendents and servants, and 158 female children, together 167 persons, the consumption of 1841 consisted of

The average consumption of solid food in this asylum appears, therefore, to be 527 lbs. in the year, or within a very small fraction indeed of 14 lb. daily for each person.

No. 4. In another asylum, having an average number of 290 inmates, chiefly children of both sexes, the consumption during the year

The greater consumption in this case, 26 per cent. beyond that of No. 3, is probably occasioned by the circumstance of one-half of the institution being composed of males.

No. 5. Another asylum, on the establishment of which were 139 persons, chiefly young persons of both sexes, consumed in the year

The expenditure in this case appears to be on a scale of great liberality, if, indeed, it do not go beyond that quality and exhibit profusion. The quantity of bread and meat consumed by each inmate is considerably greater than that of the family No. 1, in which there. was neither the same motive, nor equal means for the exercise of carefulness. The quantity of solid food consumed is 80 per cent. beyond that of No. 3, and 40 per cent. beyond that of No. 4. The cost per head, for food alone, in this institution, is stated to have amounted in the year to 15l. 13s. 2d., being 6s. Od. per week.

No. 6. An asylum containing, on the average of the year 1841, 116 persons, 10 of whom were adults, and 106 male and female children, consumed

The consumption here detailed is nearly the same in average quantity as that of No. 3. The proportions of meat and bread are rather greater, and of potatoes less, and it is probable that the nutritive power of the food is in both cases nearly equal.

No. 7. This is a large public establishment, containing an average number throughout the year of 646 male persons, chiefly boys. The consumption during 1841 was-

The consumption, in this case, of solid food amounts to 711 lbs. per annum, or within a small fraction of 2 lbs. daily (13 lbs. 11 ozs. per week). Judging from the other cases brought forward, this must be considered a very liberal dietary.

No. 8. Another large establishment, in which the children are younger than those in No. 7, and where a small proportion are females. It consisted of 365 males and 67 females. In the course of the they consumed

year 1841

Considering the different circumstances already noticed, this consumption may be considered equal to that of No. 7. Both institutions. are under the same management.

CHAPTER VI.

PRICES.

Effect of Prices upon Consumption-Cost of Ship-building in 1805 compared with the Cost in 1836-Prices of Beef and Mutton-Of various Articles of Clothing-Prices of Dress at Chelsea Hospital.

THE effect of variations in price, as occasioned by additions to or reductions of duties upon the consumption of particular articles, has been sufficiently shown in the preceding Chapter. The ultimate limit of consumption, as already stated, is the power of production; since it must be quite evident, on the one hand, that no more can be consumed than is produced; and equally evident, on the other hand, that men will not continue to produce an article in quantities beyond what will be demanded at a price sufficient to replace the cost of production, together with the ordinary rate of profit.

The power to use and to consume has always been practically limited only by inability to command the means of purchasing-a cause which, in some degree or other, has been always in operation as regards the most numerous portion of every community. The proportionate consumption in a country at various periods forms, therefore, a very good help by which to estimate its comparative prosperity.

Some accidental causes, such as a change of fashion, may occasion more or less of certain commodities to be used; but this will not affect the general consumption of all commodities. If from some such cause more of one kind are purchased, there will be less of others; and the variation of demand thus induced will, if continued for a sufficiently long time, determine the employment of a greater or less amount of industry for the production of the articles affected. It is not by such means, however, that permanent variations of price are brought about. Except in a modified degree, and occasioned by other causes, into which it is not now necessary to inquire, such variations can only occur through variations in the cost of production or the charges of distribution. If (other things remaining equal) the cost of producing a yard of cloth be reduced one-half by improvements in the processes of manufacture, there will thenceforward be at least an equivalent increase in the quan

tity used, not so much because every wearer of cloth will be less careful of his garments, as because a larger class of consumers will be enabled to purchase.

Estimate of the Expense of Materials and Labour for Building a 74-Gun Ship, of 1706 Tons, given to the Navy Board, 5th January, 1805, by Messrs. Wells, Brent, Barnard, and Roberts, Dudman, and Pitcher, compared with the cost in 1836.

Permanent alterations of price are always indicative of variations equally permanent in the cost of production or transmission, and as, in the progress of manufacturing industry, it most commonly, nay, universally happens that processes are simplified and labour economised, the uniform tendency has thence been to a progressive increase of consumption. It may be sufficient on this head to refer the reader to the