30 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. 



evident that they were able to obtain fish, for in his directions for the 

 daily diet he mentions for Lent, herrings and salt fish ; at Easter, veal 

 and bacon ; at Martinmas, beef ; before the feast of St. John, mackerel ; 

 fresh herrings at Michaelmas ; sprats and spurlings at Hallowtide, while 

 for Christmas fare they seem to have enjoyed many of the modern 

 standing dishes. 



Good bread and good drink, a good fire in the hall, 

 Brawn pudding and souse, and good mustard withal ; 

 Beef, mutton, and pork, shred pies of the best, 

 Pig, veal, goose, and capon, and turkey well drest. 

 Where fish is scant and fruit of trees. 

 Supply that want with butter and cheese. 



He never seems to have forgotten on any occasion to recom- 

 mend to the landowner the payment of his just dues, even the 

 question of tithes, so obnoxious to the farmer, was not overlooked bv 

 him. 



He gives the corn harvest, equally di\ided into ten parts : 



1. One part cast forth, for rent due out of hand : 



2. One other part, for seed to sow thy land ; 



3. Another part, leave parson for his tithe ; 



4. Another part, for harvest, sickle and sc\ the ; 



5. One part for plough-wright, cart-wright, knacker and smith ; 

 0. One part to uphold thy teams that draw therewith ; 



7. One part for servant, and workman's wages lay ; 



8. One part likewise for fill-belly day b\' day ; 



9. One part thy wife for needful things doth crave ; 

 10. Thyself and child the last one pare would have. 



He adds : 



Who minds to quote 



Upon this note 



May easily find enough ; 



What charge and pain 



To little gain 

 Doth follow toiling plough. 



The poem of " Housewifry united to the comforts of Husbandry" 

 is written in rather a more lively style, and has an epistle dedicatory 

 to the right honorable and my specially good lady and mistress the 

 Lady Paget. This part contains an abundance of directions, in his 

 usual style of versification, for the conduct of household duties. The 

 mistress of the house then made her own candles and also carved for 

 the farm servants at breakfast. Lord Molesworth thought that " The 

 Points of Huswifry " should be reprinted and a copy kept in every 

 farmhouse. It might have served its purpose in those davs. but 

 would be of little use nowadays. 



