The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Nov, 22. A Letter from Kettering in Northamptonshire, after relating the particulars of the dreadful fire which happened there on the 5th instant (as mentioned lately in the papers) adds, "The damage amounts to upwards of 4000 l. much corn and grain were burnt, which the farmers had been backward in selling; and the poor, who are indeed half starved and very wretched, through the high price of provisions, would not assist to extinguish the flames, but rather stood rejoicing at the farmers misfortune, and tauntingly asked one of them, while his wheat-bowls and barns full of grain were burning, 'Will you take 7 s. a strike (i. e. a bushel) now for your wheat ?'.")