The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-11-22

Prices A Century Ago.

1t is exactly 100 years ago since Chas.
William Janson published his still enter
tanning volume, "The Stranger in Amer
| lea, " in which he gives the fruits of his
| observations in this country during resi-
dence here. The book has frequently
been quoted from, but his brief survey OF
the markets of this city as he found them
in 1907. or perhaps year earlier--for
the book bears the date mentioned-is
particularly enlightening in these times of
high prices.
|, During the Revolution the prices of
food in Philadelphia rose to such height
that committee was appointed to see
that no serious overcharge or extortion
was practiced. The prices of food, even
during and Immediately after the Civil
War, never equaled those asked at this
remote period To an unprejudiced OBJ
server today it does not appear that the
committee was able to make any serious
break into the soaring prices asked at that
time
For instance, in the spring of 1879 the
best Hyson. tea was EGO pound! At
the same time coffee was 16 shillings
pound, which is nearly as alarming. The
committee did, however. in Difference to
the demands of the inhabitants, who mur-
INJURED at the price of butter, resolve that
eff any inhabitant shall give more than
Is shillings for pound Of butter, such
person shall be summoned to appear at the
next town meeting, or pay 20 shillings
into the hands of the committee, to be
applied to the relief of the poor" While
it does not appear whether these prices
applied to specie or to the Continental cur
rency, so called, it may be taken for
granted that the merchants who refused to
part with pound of tea less than 920
had in mind payment in the Continental
notes.
But'in 1897 the Revolution had long
been passed, and prices were normal
Janson speaks in terms Of praise Of Phila
delphia markets. As a matter of fact he
had in mind only the market then in
Market street. ''It is we'll supplied, p"
he says, land its regularity and cleanliness
indicate good living and wholesome reg
lations. No article can be offered for
sale here without being submitted to the
inspection of one of the clerks of the
market, who seize unwholesome articles
and fine is inflicted upon the owner.
''The fish market, from its distance from
the sea, is but inditferently supplied,
though much pains is taken to procure a
regular supply. Light carts are constant
ly coming in from New York and Burling
ton, in New Jersey, with the most delicate
fish of the ocean, and packed in ice during
the summer. The bees it good, but the
mutton and veal far inferior to that of
England and Ireland. Butter and poultry
are excellent, and there is a profusion of
vegetables. Butchers meat, ON an aver
age, is 10 to Ia cents pound, but
poultry is not ope-third of the London
price, and a superior quality.
'Fowls of all kinds are within the COM
pass of the purchase of the laborer. A
turkey of Is pounds weight may often be
bought in Philadelphia for dollar, but |
have seen them sold for three shillings and
even still less, British money. Wild
turkeys are sometimes brought to market
for the enormous weight of 25 pounds
and upwards, but these birds retire from
the country as it becomes more settled
Geese, duck, fowls, rabbits (there are no
hares in the United States) are of a pro-
portionate price. Quails, which they call
partridges, are brought alive in large guam
titles and sold for about two and sixpence
a dozen.
excellent butter is supplied by the
German settlers at about an English shil
ling pound, and eggs at sixpence dozen.
The pork throughout the United States is
excellent, and is raised in abundance. 1t
is generally in price from S. to Sc per
hundredweight.' -