Census of England and Wales fur the Year 1871. 401 



1871, 2160. Both these classes are a relief to labour. Another 

 of the helpers in production, although agriculturists sometimes 

 fear he carries off more than his legitimate share of the profits, 

 is the manure-manufacturer ; of these, in 1861, there were 589 ; 

 in 1871, 1210: and linseed-cake manufacturers increased in the 

 same period from 127 to 407. The increase in both these classes 

 indicates the earnest desire of the farmer not to lose any chance 

 of enriching his land and of augmenting his production. Those 

 who deal in his products also increase. Maltsters are almost 

 stationary, but brewers have increased by more than 5000 ; corn- 

 merchants by nearly 3000, cattle-dealers (a much-abused class) 

 by 1000, and cowkeepers and milk-sellers by about 3000 ; 

 butchers by 7600 — another proof how very largely meat is enter- 

 ing into the daily fare of all ranks of society. What the corre- 

 spondent of ' The Times ' noticed in this respect in Suffolk — 

 what another writer says of the labouring class in Liverpool — I 

 should corroborate from my own experience of country butchers 

 in Yorkshire, that their trade amongst the labouring classes is 

 quite double what it was some ten or fifteen years ago. 



I think, then, we may reasonably conclude, that if the tenant- 

 farmers are stationary in numbers, and if their labourers have 

 decreased, their energy and their productive power have steadily 

 progressed, and show no sign of failure. 



One Avord with respect to rural amusements. The cry against 

 game becomes louder, and yet the number of persons employed 

 in its preservation increases. Gamekeepers in ten years sprang 

 from 9848 to 12,431, and huntsmen and whips from 454 to 639 ; 

 an indication that the " noble science " is more popular than 

 ever. And surely, if fair dealing takes place between the sports- 

 man and the farmer, and if " ground game," the bone of conten- 

 tion, be either surrendered to or shared with the occupier, we 

 may still enjoy those active country amusements, which add 

 such zest to country life, and in which, at least in the hunting- 

 field, sportsmen meet on terms of more equality than in any other 

 pursuit ; and, whether from town or country, on foot or on a 

 500-guinea horse, men are valued for their sportsmanlike qualities 

 rather than for their length of purse. 



On the whole, I cannot but think that we may be well satisfied 

 with what the Census tells us of rural England. The number of 

 small holdings is more considerable than was imagined ; the 

 demands of the towns are not beyond our means of supply, though 

 they tax our energies to keep up with them ; and the condition 

 of the agricultural labourer is fast rising to a more equal rank 

 with that of the skilled artisan. 



July 13, 1874. 



VOL. X. — s. s. 2d 



