Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-08-14
Written for this Paper.
"Merrie England"

In the 9th year of Henry With, a
statute 0he 3d) was passed that
master carpenters, masons, Bricklay-
ers, tylers, plumbers, GLACIERS, joiners,
and Others employing them should
give journeymen, exclusive of board,
six pence per one half and five pence
for the other half of the year; com
mon labOrers were to receive four
pence a day for one half, and three
pence for the other half of the year.-
In harvest time when they could work
by the job, they could realized even
more. Allowing a day off in each
fortnight, they would receive yearly
about twenty shillings modern Eng
lish money, which would be about
IS, which are said to be about the
wages in Australia and in other
Colonies. Most of the laborers lived
III their masters houses, but those
who owned cottages were allowed to
feed their cattle in those large unoc-
cupied tracts known as commons,
which have been so well known in
highway mems tales-in stories of
Robin Hood, and other free-booters.
In the reign of Elizabeth it was en-
acted by Parliament 9Th of 31sD that
no cottage should be erected upon
less than four acres of land. The idea
of the government was to protect the
working classes, keep them contented,
numerous, happy, ready for acar.-
They, thus, secured that best ally of
good government, q well ordered
militia. For example, in the Isle of
Wight large tracts were bought up by
capitalist for large operations, but by
law, this was stopped, so that the
small owners could compete, and
hence in 1916, when 10000 French
landed on that Isle, they were driven
off by the local militia, assisted by a
few troops from the counties on the
mainland near by. The whole OBJ
ject of the government was to resist
the centralization of capital. Among
the other industries, sheep farming
became very lucrative, and falling into
the hands of a few who had mutual
understanding, it became monopoly,
seriously affecting the price of wool
and of mutton, hence it was eacted
''that no person shall have or keep on
lands not their own inheritance more
than 2O0O sheep; )" nor occupy more
than taco farms Thus it was that the
strong government exercising a pater-
nal sway, protecting the common
people, devoted in their affections,
became popular and able to meet the
entire power of Continental Europe
Says Froude (: ave hear of the
glory of English hospitality by the
rules of which all tables from that Of
20 shilling free holder to the baron's
hall or the abey refectory, were open
at dinner hour to all.comers." To all
who asked was given free-bread,
beef, beer for dinner perhaps
only mat of rushes in a spare
corner for his bed--freely given
and as freely accepted. The danger
of imposters was little, as any stranger
could be apprehended as a vagrant,
if he did not give satisfactory ac.
count of himself. The people lived in
a frank open style The hour of ris
ing was four o'clock summer and
winter, breakfast at five, after which
work and business was the order OF
day for all, mobiles and yeomen alike.
Whosoever sold bad wares, or made
poor articles was liable to punishment
At high noon dinner was eaten. One
of the Archbishops of York had $500
servants. The entertainment given to
all were sumptuous. Of one, it is said
there were given away, 80 cxen, 800