HOUSEHOLD GEAR. 149 



the instant it has been used, and that instant 

 put in its place, everything having a place. 

 The contrivances for bestowing things away 

 are curiously varied, hooks, shelves, bags, 

 drawers, and above all, chests, are in requisition 

 for the purpose. In that large cupboard of old 

 quaintly carved oak, the aumbry, as it would 

 be called in Scotland, the family supply of 

 oaten bread is kept. On the shelves, in the 

 inner room, you might have seen a goodly 

 array of cheeses ; that orderly collection of big 

 earthen jars, of small kegs and barrels, are 

 for holding and conveying beer to the field 

 labourers. Look at this wall ; what a miscel- 

 lany of things is there arranged. I wish you 

 would make a catalogue of them; but that 

 would tire an auctioneer ; and long may the 

 time be before any such labour be required ! In 

 the inner room the cupboards, the beaufets 

 are as well replenished, and with the more 

 valuable articles of glass and earthenware. 



AMICUS. But why such an endless variety, 

 and such profusion ? 



PISCATOK. I fancy these mark the family 

 means and wants; well to do in the world, 



