306 On the Cottage- Homes of England. 
afford a treat which seldom falls to the lot of the labourer, a taste of 
Grapes, either eaten green, made into small tarts, like goosebeiries, 
or pressed and fermented for wine. These certainly would not have 
the size or flavour of hothouse Grapes, nor would the wine be like 
Port or Frontigiiac, but they would be a luxury to a poor man; and 
why a poor man should not have his luxuries as well as a rich one, 1 
can see, no reason, especially 4vhen they can be procured at so cheap 
a rate. 
The Vine, I may be told, will not succeed generally in Britain ; to 
this I answer, that it did succeed formerly, and that even at North 
AHertqn, in Yorkshire, one of remarkable size, and which annually 
bore a profusion of fine Grapes, stood for more than t\\'o centuries, 
in the midland counties it still grows, and bears fruit; and I feel con- 
vinced that nothing but an interest in its cultivation is wanting, to 
render it the general climber of the cottage. 
Agam I would observe that I am no practical man ; I do not un- 
derstand the cultivation of the Vine. I must therefore trust as before 
to the philanthropy of the Conductors, or some of their correspondents, 
for a statement of what Vines are most hard}^ for open air growth, 
what soil is most j)roper for them to be j)lanted in, and the manner of 
training and pruning them. This will be conferring a real obligation 
on the cottager, as by giving him a new stimulus to his exertions it 
will add another chai-m to home. 
Thus have I endeavoured to show how the '' condition of tlie poor 
may be bettered," without subjecting any one to one farthing of loss 
or expense. For his garden and cottage he would be able to pay a 
reasonable rent, and the profit he made of it would depend on his own 
exertions. His low wages would be helped out without his being 
degraded by application to the parish for relief, and he would feel 
within himself an idea of independence, because he could provide for 
his own wants by his own industiy. His family would grow res- 
pected and res])ectable, he would feel he had a stake in the welfare of 
his country, and the pride of his heart would be, "The Cottage 
Home of England!" 
It will be perceived, in this rude essay that no mention has been 
made of other cottage comforts. The cow, the pig, and the poultry 
have not entered into my plan, because they could not (particularly 
the two former,) be procured without considerable expeifee ; nor have 
T said mucli more of the improved pictm-esque a]ipearance of a cottage 
with such an adjunct as a well cultivated garden. Though I am not 
a cultivator, I may perhaps, if this be well received, in some future 
number trouble you with a plan or two of such gardens as will be 
most suitable for cottages, and give you a perspective view of one of 
