l be often read at that time.

[6] See Cheap Repository, Tract on the Scarcity, printed for T.
Evans, Long-lane, West Smithfield, London.

"My good women, I truly feel for you at this time of scarcity; and I
am going to show my good will, as much by my advice as my
subscription. It is my duty, as your friend and minister, to tell
you that one half of your present hardships is owing to _bad
management_. I often meet your children without shoes and stockings,
with great luncheons of the very whitest bread, and that three times
a day. Half that quantity, and still less if it were coarse, put
into a dish of good onion or leek porridge, would make them an
excellent breakfast. Many too, of the very poorest of you, eat your
bread hot from the oven; this makes the difference of one loaf in
five; I assure you 'tis what I can not afford to do. Come, Mrs.
White, you must assist me a little. I am not very knowing in these
matters myself; but I know that the rich would be twice as
charitable as they are, if the poor made a better use of their
bounty. Mrs. White, do give these poor women a little advice how to
make their pittance go further than it now does. When you lived with
me you were famous for making us nice cheap dishes, and I dare say
you are not less notable, now you manage for yourself."

"Indeed, neighbors," said Mrs. White, "what the good Doctor says is
very true. A halfpenny worth of oatmeal, or groats, with a leek or
onion, out of your own garden, which costs nothing, a bit of salt,
and a little coarse bread, will breakfast your whole family. It is a
great mistake at any time to think a bit of meat is so ruinous, and
a great load of bread so cheap. A poor man gets seven or eight
shillings a week; if he is careful he brings it home. I dare not say
how much of this goes for tea in the afternoon, now sugar and butter
are so dear, because I should have you all upon me; but I will say,
that too much of this little goes even for bread, from a mistaken
notion that it is the hardest fare. This, at all times, but
particularly just now, is bad management. Dry peas, to be sure, have
been very dear lately, but now they are plenty enough. I am certain
then, that if a shilling or two of the seven or eight was laid out
for a bit of coarse beef, a sheep's head, or any such thing, it
would be well bestowed. I would throw a couple of pounds of this
into the pot, with two or three handsful of gray peas, an onion, and
a little peppe