92 
Farm Labourers, their Friendhj Societies, 
The balance of 3s. 'dd. remains for tlie bagmen, and, save the 
mark, for clothing father, mother, and children, for bedding, for 
accidents, and repairs not paid for by the landlord, and incidental 
expenditure which will arise and must be met. The average of 
the wife's earnings at light field work is given, though her 
earnings come in in such a manner that they can only be said to 
exercise a healthy disturbing influence upon the income. For 
every week in which she makes 6s. there are two when she 
earns nothing. Prudence, therefore, is necessary, and great 
economy to keep things together. But no man can count on a 
single day's health. Those Avho undergo no harassing term of 
sickness are singularly happy, and ought to review mercies 
of preservation as not the least marks of the care of a good Pro- 
vidence over them. And so, as a rule, my specimen does ; he 
is much more in the habit of thinking with gratitude of the 
blessing of good health than is generally supposed. Still illness, 
or an accident, may come at any time ; and now take the other 
side of the picture : — 
s. d. 
Fatlicr, ill and on the chib 10 0 
Mother and boj's average 11 0 
From union : medical relief, and relief accordina; to scale, viz., 
four children dejiendent at Is. in flour 4 0 
25 0 
Expenses as before, excepting that the club payment is 6c?., as 
he does not attend meetings, and, being ill, is not fined for 
absence. 
If his illness lasts more than three months, the sickness pay 
from his club is reduced to half; but in this case the board of 
guardians will give him a money payment of 4s. in addition to 
its grant in food. 
Pass on half a dozen years, and examine my specimen again. 
The family are growing up ; two sons entirely off his hands, 
out at service, and conducting themselves on the approved 
system as their father before them ; two daughters in domestic 
service, one boy at 7s. a week, and a girl still at school. 
His income averages 23s. a week, and the easier strain on his 
means is perceptible in the improved condition of the family and 
the home. They are out of debt at last, reject all overtures from 
bagmen, buy their things where they are known, and, lastly, 
keep a better table. As the remaining children quit the parents' 
nest, and go forth to earn their own living, a lodger or two can 
be taken in and done for ; so far as ability is concerned, they 
might begin to save money beyond the payment always punc- 
tually made to the club. He might, for instance, deposit a small 
