ADVANCE IN LABOURER'S CONDITION. 65 

 sixfold, while the price of bread has only the price 



of bread. 



doubled. Two centuries later, in 17/0, the 

 farm-labourer's wages was is. 2d. a day, when 

 the price of wheat was 463. a quarter. In 1846, 

 immediately before the repeal of the Corn Laws, 

 wages were is. /d., when wheat was 533. At 

 the present time wages have risen 60 per cent, 

 while wheat has diminished in price. In other 

 words, the labourer's earning power in pro- 

 curing * v the staff of life f cost him five days 

 work to pay for a bushel of wheat in 1770, four 

 days in 1840, and two and a half days in 1880. 

 He is better lodged than he ever was before ; 

 though, in many parts of the country, there is 

 still much room for improvement in that 

 respect. Compared with the labourer in towns, 

 his position is one of greater comfort ; he lives 

 in a better atmosphere, he is more free from 

 anxiety, and has a closer and more friendly 

 relation with his employers, and with the 

 schoolmaster and clergyman of his parish. He 

 is kind to animals, understands how to manage 

 them, and in his family shows a good example, 

 on the whole, of sobriety and industry. 

 F 



