Morning journal and courier., 1883-02-23
Cottage Life in England.
How the EIiddIing Glasses Live and Save
 Money.

From Harper's Bazar
 To begin with house rent. Let us suppose the cottage of thatcher or other trades man, like painter or under farmer, con. 8 tidy parlor, kitchen and outside kitchen and three to five upper rooms. For this and piece of ground he will pay about twenty dollars a year, certainly not more and his taxes may be five or six dollars. He will be sure to cultivate his ground so as to bring in all the vegetables needed for his family, and there will be poultry, and one pig at a time fattening for family use, few, unless those with farm, caring for more than one anil nal of the kind. One pig will supply the family with bacon for the winter, and the good housewife always understands the cur ing of hams, and instructs her daughters in the same. Occasionally eggs will be sold at such a cottage, but as rule there are always one or two women in the village who make such their exclusive right dairy women,n who sell butter and eggs and milk and cream. Now let us see what the cottager's expenses are. Meat is sold him at about sixteen cents 8 pound, almost the only article of his con- sumption which is dearer than it might be in an American village, and, unless 8 few gro- ceries, almost the only article he needs to buy. His meals will probably be as follows :: Breakfast t-bacon, either fried alone or chopped up with potatoes, coffee or beer, and 8 modicum of bread. Dinner-a stew, or piece of boiled meat with greens, vegets ble and occasionally simple pudding :; to this is often added beer or cider. Tea will be sure to consist only of bread and cress be available; and in some cases SUD- per of bread and cheese will follow before bed time. Oatmeal porridge has lately come into more general use in England, and the poorer classes are beginning to find out how to bake beans, and make use of American self-raising flour, etc, while American meats, even down to bacon, are eagerly sought for as cheaper if not better.
 In regard to his other family expenses, the question of clothes is far simpler than in our country, for except in rare instances such 8 mans daughters would not think of tinery :; tidy" appearance during the week, sim ply trimmed bonnet and 'best" gown for Sundays, being all that is necessary. Shoes and boots are always of the most primitive and durable fashion, and the stockings worn are nearly always knitted by the women of the family. Should dress be made tout, ' 8 woman of this class would rarely pay above one dollar for the making, so that a costume suitable for even church going would not cost above three or four. Prints or calicoes are comparatively high priced, twelve cents 8 yard being ordinarily asked for good quality. Minor expenses are very few. It is wonderful how frugalIy such 8 family contriyes to live, and yet with the ut most appearance of decency and the neces- saries of life. At as early an age as possible such a mans daughters will go into service, which accounts for the excellence of nearly all English servants. They come from care ful, clsanly and well regulated households, and nearly all have learned at home the do mestic arts, needlework included. The sons are early apprenticed and generally live at home until their trade is learned, giving h to the family exchequcr their earnings.
 It was surprising to us to see how often such household as we describe lays by mon ey, for at most the income rarely exceeds three to five hundred dollars Q year-more, as we know, than many curates with large families have, since two hundred and fifty to four hundred are generally the incomes of these minor clerical gentlemen-yet such is the case, few frugal minded cottagers being without some hoard for sickness or sudden need. The great drawback to prosperity in some cases is the existence of Hong bills. " Tradesmen, laborers, thatchers, etc, are off, ten only paid once or twice year, so that in their turn they are compelled to have bills with their butcher and baker, the system of long credit serving rich and poor in England alike, and, let us say serving them often, in both cases, to their ruin.