258 ON THE PRICE OF LABOUR. 



conditions., but I can, by anticipating certain information which 

 is in my possession as to the cost of building at a somewhat 

 later date, arrive perhaps at a conclusion on this subject. 



In the spring of the year 1448 Merton College resolved to 

 build or rebuild the bell-tower of their chapel, and appointed 

 Thomas Edwards, probably one of the fellows, as superin- 

 tendent of the work. The necessary funds were supplied partly 

 from the resources of the College, partly from donations made 

 for the purpose, partly from specific legacies bequeathed to the 

 society, and amounting to about fifty pounds. 



The work lasts for nearly two years ; beginning on the 2Oth 

 of May 1448, and ending on the ninth of the same month 

 j 450. Nine masons are employed to the end of October ; one 

 at 4/., the others at y. 4^. a week. At this time the rate of 

 wages is changed, and three or four men only are engaged, the 

 wages being 4^. and as. qd. In January only two are kept on, 

 each at is. icd. In February the old rates of 4*. and y. 4^. 

 are restored, three masons being engaged. In June four are 

 employed. In August two. The rate changes again in the 

 last week in October to is. lod. and is. 9^., two men only 

 being on the work. The rate is again at 3*. ^d. in February, 

 but during the four weeks of April and the first week of May 

 1450 only one man is engaged. 



Between the last week in May 1448 and the end of 

 November other workmen, apparently masons' labourers and 

 apprentices, are erigaged, and again in two weeks of 1449. 



Carpenters are engaged for ten weeks, apparently at the 

 latter part of the work. The College purchases above 1200 

 square feet of Teynton, and 159 loads of Headington stone, 

 paying is. a load for carriage from Teynton, and from $\d. 

 to 5^. from Headington. A gang of labourers, from three to 

 four in number, is kept in work at Headington quarry from 

 June to January, and again for a month in the following 

 summer. 136 quarters of lime are bought, and a considerable 

 quantity of timber and iron-work. 



The cost of the Teynton stone is ^'10 los. 6</., of lime 



