CHAPTER V. 



Village architecture The cottage preacher Cottage society The 

 shepherd Events of the village year. 



SOME few farmhouses, with cowyards and rick- 

 yards attached, are planted in the midst of the 

 village ; and these have cottages occupied by the shep- 

 herds and carters, or other labourers, who remain at 

 work for the same employer all the year. These cot- 

 tages are perhaps the best in the place, larger and more 

 commodious, with plenty of space round them, and 

 fair-sized gardens close to the door. The system of 

 hiring for a twelvemonth has been bitterly attacked ; 

 but as a matter of fact there can be no doubt that a 

 man with a family is better oft when settled in one spot 

 with constant employment, and any number of odd jobs 

 for his wife and children. The cottages not attached 

 to any particular farm belonging to various small 

 owners are generally much less convenient ; they 

 are huddled together, and the footpaths and rights of 

 way frequently cross, and so lead to endless bickering. 

 Not the faintest trace of design can be found in the 

 ground-plan of the village. All the odd nooks and 

 corners seem to have been preferred for building sites ; 



