266 THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS 



being at the trouble of making obfervations for 

 themfelves, are often deceived and mifled. Such, 

 I am confident, has been the cafe a thoufand times 

 in the judgments formed on the prefent fubjed:. 



The loweft claflfes bear indications of extreme 

 poverty, yet they feem to enjoy good heakh. Their 

 dwellings are cottages, or rather huts, built of flones, 

 whofe interftices are clofed with peat or mud. On 

 a mere infpe£lion, they would feem the habitations 

 of wretchednefs. They are in general fo dark, 

 that, on firfl entering, the glare of light down the 

 chimney alone takes the attention. The following 

 is a good picture by Mr, Hutton of one of the better 

 kind of cottages made uncommonly neat for the 

 celebration of a wedding dinner ; 



Arriving, I crept through a hole in the door, 

 Some ftones were laid down, and fome not, on the floor. 

 The whole was ose dark room, with three windows fo fmaH, 

 That the light down the chimney quite outftript them ajl. 

 But this great relief came to foften their cares. 

 Neither foher nor drunk could they tumble down {lair«. 

 Two beds grac'd the manfion, which made it appear 

 That cleanlinefs, prudence, and order reigned there. 

 The tables and cupboards, which, opened to view, 

 Shew'd the hand of induftry had polifhed their hue. 

 The fhelves and their crockery, both china and delph, 

 ,Were clean, and were orderly rang'd on the flielf. 

 Dad, mam, and nine children, which" fortune beftow'd. 

 In harmony liv'd in this darkfome abode ; 

 Nor can we confent to call thofe people poor, 

 Where prudence fteps in, and bars want from the door. 



The 



