Naturally, the bread[74] which,
thanks to the State, costs three sous in Paris, is furtively carried
out of Paris into the suburbs, where six sous are obtained for it.
There is the same furtive leakage for other food furnished by the
State on the same conditions to other dealers; the tax is a burden
which forces them to go outside their shops. Food finds its level
like water, not alone outside of Paris, but in Paris itself.
* Naturally, "the grocers peddle their goods" secretly, "sugar,
candles, soap, butter, dried vegetables, meat pies and the rest,"
amongst private houses, in which these articles are bought at any
price.
* Naturally, the butcher keeps his large pieces of beef and choice
morsels for the large eating houses, and for rich customers who pay
him whatever profit he asks.
* Naturally, whoever is in authority, or has the power, uses it to
supply himself first, largely, and in preference; we have seen the
levies of the revolutionary committees, superintendents and agents; as
soon as rations are allotted to all mouths, each potentate will have
several rations delivered for his mouth alone; in the meantime[75] the
patriots who guard the barriers appropriate all provisions that
arrive, and the next morning, should any scolding appear in the orders
of the day, it is but slight.
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