8 Life and Times of u The Druid." 



murder, but when, on the other hand, the 

 offence is cattle lifting or sheep stealing, 

 conviction is certain. From these lawless 

 surroundings and antecedents sprang the 

 Cumberland " Statesmen " or yeomen far- 

 mers, who were neither squires nor labourers, 

 and until a comparatively recent date lived 

 without money, and got all the necessaries 

 of life by a system of exchange or barter 

 which they carried on with their neighbours. 

 Uncorrupted by luxury, and blessed with 

 enough of this world's goods to get through 

 life, they passed their blameless existence 

 among the lonely scaurs, hills and fells of 

 their native land, and were as "stout of heart 

 and steady of hand " as their forefathers, who 

 lived always on the alert to resist the armed 

 irruptions of the thieving Scot. " They bear 

 the greatest fatigue," writes one who knew 

 them well, "with patience and endurance, 

 and living contentedly on humble fare, offer 

 the best that their houses contain to strangers 

 who seek their hospitality. Though not rich 

 in money or land, they are rich in character 

 and healthful contentment, their houses being 

 schools of thrift and industry. The clothing 



