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lailer, to the neglect of his own proper business as a producer.All attempts to force farmers to carry their own grain to market,(whence, indeed, it might frequently have to be idly carried thatwhole distance back again, to arrive at its destination of con-sumption), and to sell in bulk instead of by sample, originate inthe most contemptible mobbish conceptions.
It is probable that a few cattle fairs may continue to be fre-quented as convenient. It seems nearly certain, that weekly, ormore frequent markets, will ever continue in towns, for provi-sions ; because fresh butcher-meat cannot be stored up; andthough flour, meal, or grain can be longer preserved, yet the ex-tent of the retail trade, and its quick return, makes so small acapital sufficient to set up in it, that many are tempted to engagein it, whose capital can command so little at a time, that theirsmall stores need to be frequently replenished from the farmer,or more extensive dealers. *
Weekly markets of grain are necessary for setting the assize ofbread, wherever it is reckoned worth while to set an assize. In-deed, an assize cannot be set where there are not frequently re-curring grain markets, though it would be the most foolish ofattempts, to tl)ink of forcibly creating a weekly market, merelyfor the purpose of furnishing data for the regulation of an assize.
The assize of bread regulates its price, according to the price ofgrain. By the two general statutes of 31st Geo. II. and 13thGeo. Ill, the power of fixing the assize is given, in towns, toMagistrates , and, in the country, to any two Justices of the Peace.Any two Justices of the county, too, may compel the Magistratesof towns within the county to fix an assize, though no such com-pulsitor is competent to private individuals. Tables also accom-pany the acts, (probably exact enough), showing, at differentprices of wheat and other grain, what ought to be the price ofbread of a given weight, and what ought to be the weight ofbread sold at a given price.
In towns, where bakers form a corporation, vested with thewclusive privilege of supplying the inhabitants with bread, thefixing of assize may be proper, to prevent the extortions of mo-nopoly. But, if the intention of fixing an assize is, to confinethe baker to the natural price, or the price to which bread wouldbe levelled upon a free and full competition, the much more rea-dy way of accomplishing that object, would be, to annul the mo-nopoly privilege, and at once to lay the trade open ; and indeed,the annulling this monopoly privilege, would be an alternative ofmere indifference to the baker. But the intention of assize seems
* From the smallness of the capital required, as well as congeniality to formerhabits, farmers, who fail in their circumstances, very generally betake themselves10 fte retailing of meal ami pot-barley, in our great towns. The competition off *Uiler* 3 is the best security for being cheaply served.
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