THE PRICE OF FOOD UNDER PROTECTION.
(To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—Your correspondent "C. H. L." in the Spectator of October 24th quotes a German lady as having reported the cost of living in this place as dear under Protection. I myself have lived here these four years, after having supported a household in London for some twenty years at from 21,000 down to 2300 a year, and my experience has taught me that I can get better value for my money here. The lady referred to very likely had in her mind such articles as dress materials, which are kept expensive to the well-to-do here to enable the manufacturer to sell cheap for export. But as regards the 1 tbourer and artisan, the class principally concerned in this controversy, they are at least as well off as they are in London under so-called Free-trade. The following quotations for bread I have taken from a price-list fixed at bakers' shop windows, the equivalent in English weight and money being as near as possible-4d. per quartern loaf of mixed wheat and rye bread, and 3d. per quartern loaf of coarse rye bread—and consumed here by all classes as more nourishing than the dry wheaten bread. The latter is only supplied in rolls (four a penny) and other fancy forms, certainly not dearer than in London, regardless of a duty on wheat (and rye also) of about 7s. 6d. a quarter. I might also mention, as interesting to your city readers, that a clerk here or in Berlin can obtain a whole- some dinner, well served, a substantial midday meal, at from 93. to is., a fact which at least is a proof of sound commercial methods, if no other.—I am, Sir, &c., A. DROEGE. Hamburg.
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