Vergleichung der im Jahr 1736. das Herzogthum Schlesien betroffenen grossen. Theurung und Hungers-Noth, mit derienigen, womit Gott einen grossen Theil von. Deutschland, in dem abgewichenen 1770. Jahre heimgesuchet.

Reports the ruined harvests experienced in several German provinces in 1770 compared with a natural catastrophe in Silesia in 1736 during which the harvest was destroyed by extended periods of torrential rain. A result of which was a rise in grain and other food prices which threatened to cause mass food distress among the population. The author describes several measures taken by the (then Austrian) authorities in Silesia to prevent such a humanitarian catastrophe. A special section at the end of the book is dedicated to the so-called “Korn-Jude” (the Grain Jew): Abhandlung von dem wahren und falschen Begriffe eines Korn-Juden” (pp. 133-168). The anonymous author analyzes this widely accepted popular scapegoat of Jewish merchants as being diabolic speculators who artificially force up prices, particularly in grain crops in difficult times. He argues that this generalization is not justified, as among both Jews and Christians there always those who try to enrich themselves at the expense of their fellow citizens. This volume contains three engravings including: A silver medal that was minted in Brandenburg depicts a Jew carrying a sack of grain atop of which is seated a devil (title-page); and a medal labeled “Du Korn Jude” showing a Jew hanging from a tree, with the devil tightening the noose (p. 133).