282 BRITISH RURAL LIFE AND LABOUR. 



The chimney-sweeping of the whole village is done by con- 

 tract, by order of the cottage owner, all belong to one 

 landlord, so that it may be regularly and properly done, 

 and not left to the possibility of neglect by the tenants. 

 Against overcrowding the utmost care is taken lodgers 

 being strictly forbidden ; and arrangements are made, 

 when necessary, to shift occupiers from one house to another 

 for there is variation in size and accommodation to 

 suit the necessities from time to time of families. It 

 will be readily believed that the cottages at Wilcote are 

 in great demand so admirable are the dwellings and so 

 low the rents. But ' conduct ' is the key to admission. 

 If any member of a family occupying a Wilcote cottage 

 is known to be ' drunk ' notice to quit is forthwith served 

 upon that individual. Similarly, if the daughter of a 

 labourer proves to be ' unfortunate ' on returning from 

 service or otherwise, the family to which she belongs 

 are also required on the circumstances becoming known 

 to leave the house they occupy. This last-named regulation 

 may be considered a harsh one, and the reply to the con- 

 tention is that its effect upon the morality of the village 

 is remarkable. So anxious are the peasants to get these 

 model cottages, that they willingly comply with the strict 

 regulations of the cottage owner, and serious misconduct 

 is unknown in Wilcote. There is one inn in the village ; but 

 this institution never opens on Sundays not because Sunday 

 opening is forbidden by the inn owner, who is also the 

 owner of the cottages, but because there is no ' demand ' for 

 Sunday trade on the part of the inhabitants. We had 

 the good fortune to meet the singularly intelligent police- 

 man of the district, and we had a long conversation with 

 him. We gathered from him that his services were never 

 required in Wilcote, and he contrasted the ' Saturday 

 nights ' at this village with those at a large adjoining village, 

 where the overcrowded peasant hovel still exists in fine 

 condition, and inns abound. ' Go whenever you will, sir,' 

 said our informant, ' to Wilcote, you will never see a man, 

 or woman either, the worse for liquor. Just a few people 

 perhaps,' he added, ' will be sitting in the bar-parlour of 

 the inn there, sipping their beer ; but never any noise or 



disturbance ! But/ he continued, what is the case at O 



where I live ? The "publics" are full on Saturday nights, 

 and it is seldom a Saturday passes without a " row " or a 

 fight in the street.' Surely this simple statement speaks 

 volumes for the moral effect of a decent dwelling, and of 

 the thoughtful and constant supervision of an excellent 

 landlord. Not only does the latter insist upon strict 

 attention to everything which concerns the healthfulness, 

 comfort, and convenience of the peasant cottages, but he 

 lets it be understood that he admires neatness and taste- 

 fulness in the cottage surroundings well-kept gardens, 

 neat and well-trimmed borders, and the display of flowers. 



