14 NATURAL HISTORY 
We abound with poor; many of whom are fober and induf- 
trious, and Hve comfortably in good ftone or brick cottages, which 
are glazed, and have chambers above flairs ; mud buildings we 
have none. Befides the employment from hufbandry, the men 
work in hop gardens, of which we have many ; and fell and bark 
timber. In the fpring and fummer the women weed the corn ; 
and enjoy a fecond harveft in September by hop picking. For- 
merly, in the dead months they availed themfelves greatly by 
fpinning wool, for making of barragons, a genteel corded fluff, 
much in vogue at that time for fummer wear ; and chiefly manu- 
factured at Jltofj, a neighbouring town, by fome of the people 
called Quakers : but from circumflances this trade is at an end 
The inhabitants enjoy a good fhare of health and longevity; and 
the parifli fwarms with children. 
LETTER VL 
TO THE SAME. 
Should I omit to defcribe with fome exadnefs the foreji of fpol- 
f}ier, of which three fifths perhaps lie in this parifh, my account of 
Sclborne would be very imperfeft, as it is a diftrlct abounding 
with many curious produftions, both animal and vegetable; and 
has often afforded me much entertainment both as a fportfman 
and as a naturalift. 
i Since the paflage above was written, I am happy In being able to fay that the fpin- 
ning employment is a little revived, to the no Imall comfort of the indullrious houfe- 
wife. 
The 
