The Agricultural Labourer. 799 = 553 
0 s one of his children to spell out for him some portion of the 
n l-thumbed local newspaper, which now enters almost every 
1 ire ; and then retires to such slumbers as only one with few 
. and a healthily exercised frame is able to enjoy, 
jut occasionally (and no wonder) the monotony of this simple 
e jtence palls upon him, and he joins a neighbour and walks 
(Ivn to the public-house. In winter the bright fire there, the 
n:e ample space and the presence of company, are especially 
a] to attract him, and the extra indulgence of a glass or two 
o.jomewhat "heady" beer is not unlikely to produce an ex- 
ciment followed by absolute intoxication. But this is a rare 
t. The Licensing Acts close the doors of his resort upon 
it an early hour, and the evening saturnalia, of which the ' 
xe public-houses were formerly the scene, have given way 
L lore moderate expressions of good fellowship and more sober 
CDyment. 
10 the year runs its course. In winter his hours of work are 
slrtened, but his wages remain the same. In hay-time he is 
lar at night, rarely reaching home before 8 o'clock ; and in 
hi est he husbands all his powers for the important task of 
m;ing up his arrears of rent and paying his tradesmen's bills. 
H hours of work are of course now considerably lengthened ; 
th quality and kind of his food are improved, and he allows 
hi self, or is allowed by the farmer, from 6 to 8 pints of 
0 ably strong beer a day. Shortly after harvest he pays his 
lord, his baker, his shoemaker, and any other tradesmen 
V may happen to be his creditors, and starts afresh upon 
acher year with a clean pocket, but a light heart, if his 
ea ings have but enabled him to settle these accounts and to 
gei few necessary articles of clothing besides. 
.is holidays are not numerous. The village feast or fair, or Sundays and 
th Harvest-home entertainment, are the occasions of almost the other holidays, 
so break in the routine of work. In comparing his lot, how- 
ev, with the Continental peasant, it must not be forgotten that 
ev y seventh day in the year is with him a day of entire rest, 
an that only the absolutely necessary work in connection with 
th live-stock of the farm is ever performed on that day, and that 
byien specially hired and paid for the purpose. On Sundays 
-oppears at church or chapel dressed in broadcloth, and with 
ly gorgeous waistcoat faced with crimson plush and orna- 
ini ted with countless buttons ; or he makes his holiday the 
op)rtunity of a visit to a child in service or a far-distant 
rel ive or friend ; or, more often still, he " takes it out " in 
''^ough rest, in summer lounging or lying under a shady tree, 
in winter stirring a very short distance beyond his cottage 
)L. XIV. — S. S. 3 H 
