Advance in Labourer's Condition. 65 



doubled. Two centuries later, in 1770, the 

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

 the price of wheat was 46s. a quarter. In 1846, 

 immediately before the repeal of the Corn Laws, 

 wages were is. 7d., when wheat was 53s. At 

 the present time wages have risen 60 per cent, 

 while wheat has not increased in price. In 

 other words, the labourer's earning power in 

 procuring the staff of life, 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 1870. 

 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. 



