The Sun.
London, England, 1820-04-19 00:00:00

FOR THE SUN.

I OPFR AMIE

MR. Eorroa—Before 1 proceed with my pro-
mind stmement, allow me to riisclairn every feel-
ing of Imstility on those just complaints of the
renple as to existing distress in certain parts of
'the conl.try, which it may I.^ in the power of the
Government. or of the wcnilthy n,irt of the Com-
mon:iv, r•move wilho.tt injury to other bodies.

(3ml fmb;,l thst I should deity the right of every
live by his itykstry, or insinuate
thit the red'ily dioressed inhabitants of Greet
Britain arc to he, ireisted with asperity. I woni,l

only reminti the Public, that Aortic of those who

coinidAin of the badness of the times owe ;heir
tnisiottitnes to Iltrir idleness, or to their ex'rava-
wince that others, %slit) charge the Government
%yid, want of feeling or ditty towards the Poor,
shotklil rather attribu►e increased distress to cir-

,:uinsrances kV hiCll l'toridence only can control,
a.lthor.gh their more fortunate tellow-creatures
honntifully ailcriate tl,eir pressure ; star! that all
are letter of, co:lectively speaking, than the na-
tive. of rl,r. Cmoiuen:, in many parts of which

there is nei,her increased poptiiation nor improvi-
dent expenditure. It has been much the fashion
:ately with the Conductors of the Opposition Pa-
pers, and with that of the Chronicle, poi- ,
eularly, to talk of the happiness of the French
People, and of the low prices of their provisions
these Gentlemen, however, say nothing about the
ine,ns of the Labouring Classes there to purchase
provisions ; so that the Public are completely mis-
led by their observations. The gaestion is not,
what are the prices at the necessaries of life ? but
what are our means of earning those prices ? The
quattern loaf would be dear at twopence, if our
wages did not exceed a penny; and it would be
cheap at two shillings, if the same progressive
proportion enabled us to earn four. It would be
hardly fair to meet this question by taking the
earnings of arty part:cular class of Artizans, and
still less so of particular persons, such, for in-
stance, as some of the Conspirators lately appre-
bended, as a criterion for judging of the regular
wages in their respective pursuits ; although we
should not lose sight of the fact, that the most
turbulent amongst the Radical Rebels have bad
the least cause to be so; but we will take the
average sum in the Metropolis, rind set it against
the average wages in Paris ; then, comparing the
price, of provisions an:t lodgings in the t wo cities,
we sbail fad on which side the balance is favour-
able. Of the unemployed Labouring Classes in
but', Countries, I shall only, state as a broad tact
which rannot be contradicted, that as many per-
sons ate unemployed in France as in England ;
and that the provision for the Poor there is not
equal to one-sixth part of what it is here *.
The following Trades will be sufficient to give
,ao idea of mechanical pursuits generally :

Average Weeltly
Average Wages in Paris. Weekly
Wee difference
Artisan. 1%744-sit, EnglishFreuch in favour
London. mo of London.
L. s. d. Fr. sous. 1.. s, d. L. s. d.
Carpeoter
Calmivt Maker
Slioenuelier, iii- l
Boot- 1 12 0 21 12 018 0 0 14 0
closers: JJJ
Tailor
Mason 1 8 0 21 12 018 0 010 0