Some disturbances have taken place at Geneva, in consequence of
a rise in the price of bread ; they were soon tranquillized. Such i disturbances were not uncommon n this country thirty years ago. They have ceased, partly from the increasing intelligence of the people, partly from Government, by abolishing the absurd law of assize, having ceased to come between the manufacturer and con- sumer in that any more than in other articles of manufacture. On the Continent, there is hardly a place, whether despotic or free, that has not a number of absurd laws about bread, for the osten- sible purpose of keeping it cheap, but all tending to make it dear, and whether cheap or dear, perpetuating an opinion that the price depends not on natural causes, but on the pleasure of Govern- ment. The true cure for this, is to abolish all laws which inter- fere in the slightest degree with the production or manufacture of corn ; and to make the people, who in that ease will easily listen to instruction, understand the folly of endeavouring to regulate the price of bread or of any thing-but by the relation which the supply bears to the demand of the market.
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