RIDING 83 



civilization is much of a boon, after all ; 

 whether people are any happier now 

 than they were in the mediaeval ages. 

 Statistics don't say we live any longer, 

 and it is questionable whether the old 

 barons and their yeomen and retainers, 

 who hunted, falconed, tilted, drew a long- 

 bow, fought their neighbours, lived on 

 venison and salmon, and toasted *' fayre 

 ladyes " in flagons of nut-brown October 

 ale, did not enjoy life as much as their 

 descendants of to-day. Menials might 

 have to eat oaten cakes and wild-boar 

 chops, but possibly it did their livers 

 no more harm than Bovril, tinned essence 

 of greasy cart-mare's leg, or German (?) 

 sausage. They missed telegraphy, ex- 

 cursions, and extra special editions, but 

 they comfortably evaded the water-rate 

 man, eight-day summonses, or bogus 

 share lists, and the temptation was not 



