796 = 550 Tfie Agriailtural Labourer. 
work under ten years of age under any circumstances, a 
somewhat stricter rules as to proficiency and attendance will 
enforced. I 
Fenced in by such regulations as these, it is certain that a n 
era has commenced in the education of the farm-laboun 
children. The step has been a prodigious one, and the suddni 
ness of its operation has entailed considerable hardship ; 
parent and employer ; but there can be no question of the a; 
mate benefit to all classes from the movement, nor of the impc 
ance of its issues to the nation at large. 
The system of working children in " gangs," or large paiij 
superintended by an overlooker, was some time ago put nm 
close and stringent regulations, and (as far as children emploi 
in agriculture are concerned) the Education Acts just mention 
seem to complete the legislation necessary for their protecp 
and instruction. | 
CHAPTER YI. 
Eakly Life, Daily Work and Recreation, etc. 
Daily life of Let US now see what the daily life of a midland or south) 
the labouier. labourer is like in England, and I will begin with him at avql 
early age. My " type " was born before the date of univei I 
schooling. At eight or nine years old he was presented to •« 
master by his father, as an eligible candidate for office of " b 1 
tender," or scarer, and in this interesting pursuit he passet i 
considerable portion of his time, until he became old enoi i 
and big enough to drive, and subsequently to hold a plou; . 
Not altogether unprofitable were these lonely periods to i : 
young acquaintance. The schoolmaster, indeed, in vain asl I 
after his recent charge ; but Tom, who was not deficient i 
natural wit, was learning lessons out of a larger volume than ■ 
spelling-book — the book of nature. He examined the seed i 
the land, to see if it had properly germinated. He found > 
way frequently and surreptitiously to " Bill " on the next fai , 
and compared notes (and knucklc-bones) with tliat young g' ■ 
tleman. He learned the name of every horse upon the lai , 
and their ages and capabilities for work were matters of m - 
terious knowledge and criticism to him. The other anims 
also claimed a share in his attentions, and the wild creatures 1 
the air and field had their habits noted in his memory. * 
knew where the great carrion-crow built her nest, and where ' 
haunts of the owl and jackdaw were. The hare did not mi ? 
I 
Vastness of 
the change. 
