58 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



There is another system of employment, which prevails in 

 Northumberland and in some parts of Scotland, to which I have 

 already alluded : this is called the bondage system, but it does 

 not appear to me liable to the strong objections which the name 

 would seem to imply. In this case, the laborer, when he con 

 tracts for his services, makes a condition that he will, as may be 

 required, furnish a woman as an additional laborer ; and he 

 receives so much per day for her labor, according to the number 

 of days she may be employed. In such case, if he has not a 

 wife or daughter to supply the place, he engages some young 

 woman who lives in his family, and to whom he pays such a 

 sum by the year as may be agreed upon, in money, clothing, or 

 otherwise, and she lives in his family as one of the family for 

 the whole year. There are few forms of servitude which are not 

 liable to abuses, and the greater the state of dependence and 

 weakness, so much increased is the liability to abuse ; but where 

 the employer is a conscientious and just man, such a contract 

 may be mutually advantageous. 



In parts of Scotland, what is called the Bothie system prevails. 

 and the support of the laborers is a very summary process. The 

 wages are paid in money or kind, as may be agreed upon ; and 

 the laborers, if single men, are furnished with a room, fuel, and 

 bedding ; with two pecks of oatmeal on Monday morning, and 

 with a daily allowance of new or of sour milk occasionally 

 they may have beer and bread for dinner instead of the porridge. 

 Nothing more, however, is done for them. They prepare their 

 porridge for themselves in such way as they choose ; but this 

 comprehends the whole of their living. It would not be true to 

 say that this diet is insufficient for the support of a laboring man. 

 as it must be admitted that few laborers exhibit firmer health, or 

 more muscular vigor, or really perform more work, than many of 

 these men. This mode of living would, however, I think, be a 

 little too primitive for the New England taste, though on matters 

 of taste we are told there is to be no dispute. Having myself 

 visited a Scotch Bothie, I cannot, how much soever the economy 

 of the arrangements may be praised, much commend the style 

 of the housekeeping. Indeed, it is not difficult to infer that 

 where young men at service are turned into a hovel together, 

 and without any one to look after their lodging or prepare their 

 meals, the style of living cannot have the advantages even of the 



