A.D. 1776 
—1850. 
710 LAISSEZ FAIRE 
rich to exercise economy in their households’. But such 
measures were regarded as special and temporary methods of 
dealing with the distress, and it was generally felt that the 
only real cure lay in making the most of the English soil. 
Each experience of temporary distress gave a stimulus to the 
those of Our loving subjects who have the means of procuring other Articles of 
Food than Corn, as they tender their own immediate interests, and feel for the 
Wants of others to practise the greatest Economy and Frugality in the Use of 
avery species of Grain; and We do, for this Purpose, more particularly exhort and 
sharge, all Masters of Families to reduce the Consumption of Bread in their 
respective Families, by at least One Third of the Quantity consumed in ordinary 
Times, and in no case to suffer the same to exceed One Quartern Loaf for each 
Person in each Week ; to abstain from the Use of Flour in Pastry, and, moreover, 
carefully to restrict the Use thereof in all other Articles than Bread; And do also, 
in like Manner, exhort and charge all Persons, who keep Horses, especially Horses 
for Pleasure, as far as their respective circumstances will admit, carefully to 
restrict the Consumption of Oats and other Grain for the Subsistence of the same.” 
8 December, 1800 [Brit. Mus. 1851. d. 2 (2)]. Compare also AZeports, IX. 126. 
1 The Committtee of 1795 considered the possibility of sumptuary legislation 
on the lines of the Assize of Bread, but discarded it as they entertained “great 
hopes, that without applying this principle to the present case, the general im- 
pression produced by the late distress, and continued by the present scarcity, will 
incline men of all descriptions to unite voluntarily in the only measure which can 
give effectual and immediate relief; and they conceive that if this House should 
give to such a measure the sanction of its example and recommendation, there 
sould be little doubt of its being immediately adopted by a proportion of the 
sommunity sufficiently numerous to secure the attainment of the object in view. 
“Your Committee beg leave to submit this suggestion for the wisdom of the 
House; and they hope it will not be thought beyond the line of their duty, if apon 
an occasion so urgent in point of time, they presume also to suggest the principal 
points which such an engagement ought, in their humble opinion, to embrace. To 
reduce the consumption of Wheat in the families of the persons subscribing such 
engagement, by at least one-third of the usual quantity consumed in ordinary 
times. 
“In order to effect this purpose, either to limit to that extent the quantity of 
fine Wheaten Bread consumed by each individual in such families; Or, to 
consume only mixed Bread, of which not more than two-thirds shall be made of 
Wheat; Or, only a proportional quantity of mixed Bread, of which more than 
two-thirds is made of Wheat; Or, a proportional quantity of Bread made of 
Wheat alone, from which no more than five pounds of Bran is excluded. 
«Tf it should be necessary, in order to effect the purpose of this engagement, 
to prohibit the use of Wheaten Flour in pastry, and to diminish, as much as 
possible, the use thereof in other articles than Bread. 
“By one or more of these measures, or by any other which may be found 
squally effectual, and more expedient and practicable, in the respective situations 
of persons subscribing to ensure to the utmost of their power the reduction above 
mentioned. 
“This engagement to continue in force until fourteen days after the next 
Session of Parliament, unless the average price of Wheat shall, before that time, 
be reduced to an amount to be specified.” Third Report, in Reports. IX. p. 54.