Retrospective Criticism, 707 



Hops are stated as capable of being grown in every cottage garden, as 

 doubtless in rilost seasons they are. But are you aware that, to the great 

 annoyance of the cottager, it is necessary, before picking, to enter the 

 garden, place of drying, &c., to secure to the excise the paltry l|c?. per 

 pound ; without which precaution, a fine of 50/. can be levied, on using 

 unexcised hops. Thus God's good gifts are given to look at only, not to 

 be made serviceable to his creatures, even though they be wildings. I may 

 here also observe, the law allows not of the making of unexcised malt. 

 To distil spirits from any sugar-wash or mangold wurzel is also illicit; 

 tobacco is, I believe, also under the ban of excise. But, Sir^ let us hope, 

 now, that we have a more considerate ministry, that part of these vexa- 

 tions may be done away with. 



It is doubtless extremely beneficial to the labourer to be able to drink 

 his own brewage. Query, — Would not a species of cooperation be useful 

 here, in the purchase of a proper plant for the process ? Vessels that 

 have held soap-suds or greasy matters are alike injurious to fermentation ; 

 cleanliness is absolutely necessary to wholesome and well flavoured beer. 

 From scarcity of plant many shifts must be resorted to. Some six families 

 uniting might, for a small sum, purchase the things requisite ; one credit- 

 able person of the firm being paid an annual sum for stowage room, and 

 seeing all things are returned in repair and order. The parties might have 

 the plant in rotation. Recently the stupid act of Chai'les II. has been 

 repealed, which act prohibited the lending of any brewing vessels. 



Mead. I believe, Mr. Editor, that the duty on manufacturing mead 

 or metheglin for sale was not taken off last session of Parliament : why 

 not also take off this most oppressive prohibitory tax, which has actually, 

 from its burden, driven the mead-maker out of the market, and it is no 

 longer to be procured. Prior to the laying on of the duty, this beverage was 

 to be found in many districts, and for sale in many country public-houses. 

 The last exchequer receipt was SOs. for the year. Every means ought 

 to be taken to encourage the growth of bees ; none would be more con- 

 ducive to it, than enhancing the price of honey, — an annual premium to 

 the cottager, without labour or outlay ; in short, a God-send. Also, very 

 considerable sums are sent to a foreign market for wax and honey, which 

 we could with encouragement supply ourselves. — John Latham. Llanelli/, 

 Caermarthenshire, Dec, 9. 1830. 



The Manual of Cottage Gardening. — Sir, Having for several years had 

 large estates under my professional surveillance, I am no stranger to the 

 habits, the wants, and the actual condition, of the peasants. I have for 

 some time been urging on the attention of landlords the great importance 

 of allotting land to this useful and industrious body, feeling convinced that, 

 under judicious regulations, this system would contribute greatly to their 

 comforts and general welfare. With these impressions, I saw with much 

 pleasure your offer of a prize for the best essay on the cottage system. I 

 watched the result with great anxiety : I have since read with due attention 

 the essays, with your introductory observations and notes. I beg to be 

 permitted to offer to you my humble tribute of applause for your patriotic 

 exertions in the cause of the agricultural labourer, and at the same time to 

 point out some errors into which it appears to me you have fallen. I must 

 assume the labourer to have been the primary object, at least, of your soli- 

 citude ; and that your publication was intended to indicate to the landowner 

 the privileges he ought to grant, and to the labourer how he could use 

 them to the best advantage. But it appears to me that you have gone 

 much too far. Your publication is calculated to alarm the former on the 

 score of expense, and to distract the latter by a multiplicity of details, many 

 of which can be of no practical use to him. In all schemes for the amelior- 

 ation of the condition of the labourer, it is material to keep in view his 

 essential condition in life, as a labourer for hire, and that you have only 



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