94 
Farm Labourers, their Fricmlhj Societies, 
in the effort to make two rates in the year sufficient, and save 
the third, whereas he is now utterly indifferent whether there are 
two or half a dozen, so long as he can make good his claim for 
relief. Public opinion in his class is in favour of rate plunder, 
and the effort to reverse it by compelling all cottagers to pay 
their rates as they are made, and at the same time abolishing 
the injustice practised by unscrupulous owners of cottages as 
above noti*;ed, remains yet to be made. The same reason which 
deters him from saving money holds good in the case of his 
providing himself with an annuity. Why should he save the 
parish from paying half a crown a week for his support when 
the process will interfere with the expenditure which he 
allows himself as his children become able to find a home of 
their own ? 
We will now trace his life another stage. The infirmities of 
ase begin to affect him, and recourse is had to the funds of the 
club. As he grows older, he does not grow stronger, and at 
length he must be got rid ol^ or he will break up the club. The 
day of the annual election of the members affords the oppor- 
tunity, and he is passed over. Old-age pay at 25. Qd. a week, 
minus the weekly contribution of Qd., would not be greatly 
grudged him by the members, but the consideration that the 
board of guardians will allow him half a crown without any 
deduction, and that the rate can bear such a payment much 
easier than the funds of the Black Bear, settles the point against 
his being suffered to remain among the members. And thus, 
after ha^/ing paid to the funds of his society a sum in hard cash, 
not computing interest, little short of 100/., he is turned adrift 
in his old age. He is, however, somewhat consoled by being 
reminded that he paid as the squire pays insurance, against loss 
by fir*', an insurance which would cover such loss. He has had 
his pennyworth for his penny. He has been blessed with 
wonderful health, and did not therefore require much assistance 
from the fund. He must not therefore complain. Nor does he 
complain, but bears the severance with patience. An invi- 
tation gratis to the festival dinner he accepts, and is thence- 
forward parted from association with mine host of the Black 
Bear, and the fortnightly meeting of his old friends and fellow- 
labourers. One enquiry he makes relating to burial money, a 
sum of 8/. being included in his insurance, and a fine joke they 
make at the notion of the merry old fellow wanting money " to 
prepare his funeral." 
By and bye the " Domus ultima" — the workhouse — opens its 
doors to receive him and his wife. Home and its little comforts, 
which become necessaries of life to the aged, must be given up ; 
the goods and chattels are divided among his sons and daughters, 
