Strona 645 z 2651

But at the rate of six shillings and eightpence the quarter,

twelve shillings would in those times have purchased fourteen

bushels and four-fifths of a bushel of wheat, which, at three and

sixpence the bushel, would in the present times cost 51s. 4d. An

ox hide, therefore, would in those times have purchased as much

corn as ten shillings and threepence would purchase at present.

Its real value was equal to ten shillings and threepence of our

present money. In those ancient times, when the cattle were half

starved during the greater part of the winter, we cannot suppose

that they were of a very large size. An ox hide which weighs four

stone of sixteen pounds of avoirdupois, is not in the present

times reckoned a bad one; and in those ancient times would

probably have been reckoned a very good one. But at half-a-crown

the stone, which at this moment (February 1773) I understand to

be the common price, such a hide would at present cost only ten

shillings.