der the expence of living cheaper than it is abroad, in order to reduce the price of labour, which will enable us to offer our merchandizes at a cheaper rate, and consequently obtain a preference at all the foreign markets: for as plenty or scarcity will determine the price of provisions, so the price of provisions will in general regulate the price of labour; and this again will influence the price of all commodities and productions. Hence he asserts, that it will avail but little, to impose penalties on those who raise the price of provisions, unless the same be also inflicted on such persons as combine to raise the price of labour; that a general liberty granted to produce our necessary provisions, will procure us a general plenty for sale; that a general indulgence allowed to sale, will reduce them to a general cheapness; that a general cheapness will enable our poor to work in every occupation upon more moderate terms—an expedient the most necessary in this country; because, as Englishmen will not submit to that coarse fare to which some of our neighbours are accustomed, a reduction of the price of provisions is the only method we can resort to, for an abatement in the price of labour.
These remarks are peculiarly applicable to the present times, when every description of artisans are combining to raise the price of their labour; the natural consequence of which is, that an almost entire stagnation has taken place in many of the principal trades exercised in the metropolis. It is not our province to enter on an investigation of the justness of those claims made by the different journeymen. In some manufactures and trades, the law has limited their demands; in others, they are submitted to the decision of a court of justice; but, as the latter is both an expensive and tedious experiment, on account of the difficulty of procuring the necessary information, the evil frequently remains without redress.
Under the ancient regime of France, the magistrates had the power of deciding ali disputes between masters and journeymen, without the interference of a solicitor or counsel: this measure, though apparently despotic, was attended with the best effects, inasmuch as the public was not liable to be injured by the conspiracy of a few individuals.
ARTIST is an appellation given to a person skilled in some particular art, such as that of watch-making, engraving, &c.
Evelyn informs us, that a privilege is granted to artists at Vicenza, similar to the benefit of clergy in England; by virtue of which, criminals adjudged to death are pardoned, if they can prove themselves the most excellent and consummate workmen in any art.
Artocarpus. See Bread-Tree.
Arum. See Wake Robin.
Arundo. See Reed.
ARVENUSLY, or Pinus Cembra, L. is a species of pine, which is principally found in Siberia, and on the Alpine mountains. Its branches those of the pitch-tree, which is commonly called spruce-fir. The leaves are of a striated form, about three inches in length, and the fruit about the size of a large hen's egg, containing kernels covered with a brown skin, which, when peeled, are as large as a common pea, white and soft as a blanched almond, and of an agreeable taste.
