THE PEPYS OF SOUTH DORSET. 43 



money as being equal to about 2 now. Thus we can arrive, 

 approximately, at the equivalents of wages and prices in Dorset 

 at the period in question. Now as to wages : Mr. Richards 

 employed, in 1701, a working-bailiff, who had responsible duties. 

 He was " to serve me at Lewell and to take care of all my 

 concerns there as well of sheep, black cattle and tillage, as of 

 hay making, &c., also to buy or sell for me at Warmwell, and in 

 fine to doe me his utmost services in what I order him for 18 

 pr. ann. wages, and find himself in meat, drink, and lodging in 

 my house at Lewell." The working-bailiff thus had the 

 equivalent of 36 a year with lodging; the head-hind received 

 the equivalent of 26 a year, " bord wages" ; the under-carter 

 had the equivalent of 9 a year " in house" ; the dairy-maid 

 received a sum equal to $ IDS. now, and Susan Masters, an 

 interesting typical example of a "general" (she being " house- 

 maid, cook-maid, and also to help about my dairy- business"), 

 received wages equal to $ IDS. at the present day ; Mr. 

 Richards adds, "if I find shee deserves it I am to give her 

 2s. 6d. more at year's end." Meagre encouragement for poor 

 Susan in her multifarious duties ! The hiring of servants was 

 done orally, care being taken to have a witness present whose 

 name was recorded in the diary; "covenant money," too, was 

 paid.* 



At a time when no provision existed for educating the poor, 

 Mr. Richards was not unmindful of the instruction of his 

 servants. He writes: "The 23rd Jan., 1698-9. I this day 



* We have in the diary the following prices at Warmwell, viz. : 1697. Old 

 Ewes, 11s. 3d. each; Wheat, (ground), Cs. Id. per bushel ; Choice Oats, 6s. d. 

 per Great Sack. 1699. Sheep Skins, Is. 6d. ; and Lamb Skins, 9d. each; 

 Oats, Us. per Great Sack; Old Ewes, 11s. each; Seed Barley, 3s. 4d. per 

 Bushel ; Chilver Hogs and Barren Ewes, 12s. each. 1699-I7OO. Cow and 

 Calf, 4. 



From the following prices, selected from Prof. Rogers' work, we may obtain 

 a further general idea of prices in Dorset in Mr. Richards' day: 1685. 

 Labourers, Hull, 9d. per day. 1686. Labourers, Is. to Is. 2d. ; Average 

 ren'als, Lord Leicester's estate, Cs. per acre. I69I-2. Butter, Dorchester, 

 4d. Ib, ; Eggs, London, 4d. score. 1696-7. (The next 11 are London prices) ; 

 Bacon, 4s. stone (probably 14 Ib.) ; Coffee, 10s. to 15s. Ib. (roasted) ; Butter, 52s. 

 cwt. ; Sugar, 5d. to 8d. Ib. ; Wheat, 62s. quarter ; Bread, lid. ; Raisins, 6d. Ib. ; 



