Here the labouring man was forced to husband his coarse barley loaf; but there it not seldom happened that the wretched peasant was found dead on the earth with halfchewed grass in his mouth.

Our ancestors found some consolation in thinking that they were gradually wearing out the strength of their formidable enemy, and that his resources were likely to be drained sooner than theirs.

Still there was much suffering and much repining.

In some counties mobs attacked the granaries.

The necessity of retrenchment was felt by families of every rank.