102 Farm Labourers, their Friendly Societies, 
into the mouth of the Poor Law, from which he never has the 
good fortune to emerge with life. The grumbling and dishonest 
old man, who has fixed himself on the funds of the society, and 
compels his friends to carry him with a tenacity of hold like that 
of the Old Man of the Mountain, is shaken off, once and for all, 
on the club-day. "They gave me two shillings and sent me my 
dinner, and said the union might do all the rest, and was better 
able than they were." The poor-rate is, indeed, the virtual super- 
annuation fund of the farm labourers' societies, and the annual 
election is the trap-door by which the member is transferred 
to the rate. 
We have, lastly, the genial feature of the holiday, which is 
turned to account by the landlord, and other managers of the 
club. On Whit-Monday or Easter Monday the village is en- 
livened by flags and banners, and the sign of the Black Bear 
is entwined with garlands, and my specimens, good, bad, and 
indifferent, may be seen mustering in front of the inn in their 
Sunday clothes, with sashes and scarves, behind the band which 
is to " play them " to church. The strong box is carried by the 
treasurer, and two or three wands and baubles, dignified by 
the outlandish name of " regalia," are distributed into the custody 
of the stewards, and away they go to the church, where the vicar 
says the prayers, and preaches an appropriate sermon. Far be it 
from us to wish for one influence for good to be impaired or 
removed, especially where the best and highest of all influences 
is exerted, and our labourers brought within range of that power 
which has elevated unlettered men and women throughout the 
length and breadth of our land to a better knowledge than the 
scholar and the sage have always attained. Some shaft from 
the quiver of divine truth may strike home, and the chance 
listener, who came merely as a part of the rustic pageant, may 
return in possession of something of more consequence to him 
than the provision of a sick and burial club. But inasmuch as 
the public act of worship is oftentimes regarded by the managers 
and members merely as a means of consolidating and strengthening 
the position of the club, caution is needed in opening the church 
for special service and sermon. And not only hy the prostitution 
of divine service, but by the attendance of the clergyman of the 
parish, and other influential parishioners at the dinner, and by 
their subscriptions, support is too commonly afforded which is in 
no way merited. No society ought ever to be in want of a single 
sixpence from subscriptions, and, unless there is evidence of 
financial soundness and good management, encouragement of 
any kind should be refused. Where moral and pecuniary aid are 
given to a pauperising sharing-out club, evil is done, however 
excellent the intentions of those who bestow it. By entirely 
