216 BRITISH RURAL LIFE AND LABOUR. 



shire they were given as at an average of fifteen shillings a 

 week ; but somewhat lower on the clay lands. Cottages were 

 obtainable at rents of from eighteenpence to two shillings a 

 week. According to the Poor Law returns of the Newark 

 Union, however, wages were given as from twelve to fifteen 

 shillings a week ; and pauperism was returned as 4*7 per cent, 

 of the population. 



OXFORDSHIRE. 



Contrary to what might be supposed, wages in Oxfordshire 

 were returned by the Witney Union as only nine shillings a 

 week, but the Commissioners gave them as generally throughout 

 the county from ten to eleven shillings a week, with extra 

 payment during the harvest season ; and pauperism was re- 

 turned at 47 per cent, of the population. 



SHROPSHIRE. 



An appreciable difference was noticeable between the rates 

 of wages in the north and south respectively of the county of 

 Salop. In the former they were from ten to twelve shillings a 

 week, whilst in the south-west they were from nine to ten 

 only ; but during harvest, in Shropshire, as in some other 

 counties, food, in addition, was given during harvest instead 

 of extra or overtime money ; and on this plan there were, 

 perhaps, some obvious advantages. Besides wages, however, 

 some perquisites were given cartage, for instance, free, cottage 

 rent free, and shorter hours of labour. When rent was paid, 

 the amounts were from eighteenpence to two shillings a week. 

 According to the Poor Law returns for the Shiffnal Union, wages 

 were given as from eleven to twelve shillings a week, with beer 

 allowance two quarts, and potatoe ground. Pauperism was 

 not very high 4-1 per cent, of the population. 



SOMERSETSHIRE. 



We come now to a very low level, in a county of which we 

 have already had something to say. The general wages are 

 given by the Commissioners as from seven to eight shillings 

 a week, with cider allowance, and " sometimes perquisites." 

 The cider, to the extent of two or three pints a day, was valued 

 at a shilling a week ; sometimes there was potato ground given, 

 and sometimes grist corn. Pauperism was naturally at the 

 high rate of 6'8 per cent, of the population, a condition caused 

 by the miserable wages. 



STAFFORDSHIRE. 



In the county of Stafford, also, wages were higher near the 

 larger towns ; but, on the pasture lands, work was stated to 

 be not very constant. The rate given was twelve shillings a 

 week, with perquisites, which were of a varied character. Poor 



