Year: 1879

THE LORD OF BURGHLEY ACCUSES THE ENG


LIsH FARMERS WIVES OF ExTRAvAGANcE
AND OF ArTAINNENrs NOT BECOMING THEIR


STATION IN LIrE--FEMININE INDIGNATION.


LONDON, Sept. 26, 1879.


Connected with the present condition OF this coun-
try it is noteworthy that the gentler are begin
ming to show signs of revolt. More than once of
late the charge has been made that it is the women
who are largely to blame for the present crisis
the nations domestic affairs. They accused of
extravaganza; OF having forgotten the simple ways
Of their mothers and grsndmothers; of having
taken to silks and satns. while their mothers would
have been content with insey woolsey and Manches-
ter cottons; of having gone the length of
taking kindly to croquet and the pianoiorte. When
these charges were made by irresponsible people
body took any notice of them. But when they
are seriously reiterated by high parsonage
as the Lord of BurghIey it becomes quite different
thing. His repetition is the proverbal "last straw"
Probably the young gentleman had little idea what
a "rumpus" he about to kick up. Generally
speaking, after dinner speeches at provincial agri-
cultural shows are matters that nobody takes much
notice Of and probably when the eldest son of the
Marquis of Exeter addressed the tenant and other
farmers on their troubles at the Northampton show
he little thought that he about to bring the
women folk warmly about his ears His
words reported to have been these-"As
remedy for the present Agricultural depres-
sion we must look to for assists
ance that the farmers wives and daughters
must put their shoulders to the wheel. Their
daughters must not be brought up play the piano,
but as farmers wives. They should not be brought
up to play lawn tennis and to speak French and
other languages. They were wanted to exist entirely
in this country to assist the agricultural interest
Later his speech he returned to the charge again,
and made some other similar expressions, thereby
showing lie does not know ''where the age is. and
laying himself open to instruction IN way he did
not expect.


His Lordship would do well to take blankbook
and paste all the letters that have appeared in
the London and provincial newspapers in reply to
his remarks, and peruse them carefully, and II he
does not ind that the world has moved ''some" he
Is dull One would think he would not require to
be lectured like this by woman:-''It is also
quite true that Increased luxury obtains among
to ths sumbiss. psassnt TRo smoke aoes
not escape from q hole in the roof. win
the place Of mud huts. The trader has become q
merchant. colossal fortunes have been made
enough in some instances even to buy up the broad
acres Of my Lord Of Burghley; palatial residences
far out of town and numerous equipages have taken
the place of the unpretendng suburban villa aud the
one horse chase And is Lord Burghley quite GER
tain that luxurious appointments have been
added to his palace home since the day when Queen
Elizabeth received his noble ancestor Oh her rush
spread foorG And taking it for granted that there
| has been let me ask what has conduced to this !?
Has the rent roll nothing to do with it? Are Lord
Burghley's farms let ut the price they were hun
| dred years ago. when all around are doubled and
some trebled? And 1 ask why when advance has
| been the wstchword among all other classes the
farmer should stand stillY'


Lord Burghley probably feels that there is tho
difference between the noble and the simple" that
he reads there used to be in times long past, and
would fain q return of the "good old days" In
those days one of the conmonalty. and woman too.
burst not have addressed one OF "blue blood thuS:
"Why should not the wife or daughter of the farmer
! be an educated woman? Does HIS Lorship, who is
| OF contrary opinion, consider education units any
! woman for home duties? y Or is it for one
moment supposed that the vocation of his woman
kind attend to tho creature comforts alone OF
her lord and master. and that to suckle fools and
chronicle small beer IL the sole object OF her exist
enceY


HOW TIE rIMEs HAVE CHANGED.


Lord Burghley ought TO have remembered that
occasionally noble lords stoop to alliance with
it is expediept they should have little culture and
| know a little music, too. The first Marquis of Ex-
eter, His Lordship OF Burghleys great grandfather.
married Sarah Hoggns. the daughter OF Shropshire
laborer and rise to that beautiful ballad Of Mr..
Tcnnyson's. "The Lord of Burghley,' and to one
also by Tom Moore. His Lordship. therefore, ought
to have had more consideration for the daughters
and wives OF those in an humber sphere than him.
self. but tut. to whom he is very nearly al. al,
given the world the opportunity of seeing
the spirit that exists among the women. from
there is chance Of their returning their old po
sition Of domestic drudges and nothing more. II
was talking to Russian serfs and not to free Eng.
lishmen. tell His Lordship that can cook good
dinner. wash the dishes. clean a foor. churn and
make the butter. and do all other domestic work in
q farmhouse. also have q passion for music in my
leisure hours sitter = hard days work is done. This
will not give up to please Lord Burghley." One
might quote specimens like these by the score; but
these will suffice to show the temper the gentle sey
are in. and that If there is to be retrenchment OF
expense it must be all round and not begin with the
| women. Stopping the piano and putting away the
crOquet bali won't mend matters. clearly.