CHANGES OF FIFTY TEARS, v 287 



for the remainder of the twelve months the human 

 cattle were not permitted to remain, but were driven 

 forth, and the quadrupeds only, with the machinery, 

 were kept and housed and cared for by the least num- 

 ber of laborers that were able to do the work. But 

 these monster estates are now numbered by tens of 

 thousands. 



Fifty years ago, in our country, that crushing relict 

 of feudalism the tenant farm was little known to 

 us except as we learned of it in Europe. But now we 

 have them in millions, worked and held under condi- 

 tions that make the tenant farmers in England appear 

 as princes when compared with the tenant farmers in 

 our boasted land of comfort and plenty. 



Fifty years ago there were no large sections of our 

 cities and towns given up to and crowded with tene- 

 ment houses, with a family to every room, whether 

 light or dark, in garret or in cellar, with hundreds of 

 men, women, and children in every house, living in a 

 state of wretchedness that beggars description. But 

 it is so at this time. 



Fifty years ago there were no armies of able bodied, 

 healthy men and women, skilled in the arts, profes- 

 sions, and trades many of them temperate and cul- 

 tured wandering all over the face of our country, 

 vainly seeking work, begging food and clothing, sleep- 

 ing where they can, and the next day continuing their 

 vain hunt. But we have them now. 



Fifty years ago there was not an enforced idleness 

 amounting to fully one half the working force of our 

 people. But there is to-day. 



Fifty years ago one half of our workmen were not 



