A PARSON'S REPORT OF HIS PARISH.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SFECTATOR.
Sai-There are points in the condition of a house which a single brick may tell better than a picturesque view from a distance. I wish therefore to furnish you with a few facts about my parish, a district of six hundred souls in the North-east part of Hertfordshire, twenty-five miles from London, and comprising none but labourers, a few small tradesmen and pub- licans, eight farmers of different dimensions, from 1,000 acres downwards, and myself the parson. You will see, I think, that we, though altogether in the agricultural way, have no claim on the pity of our countrymen. Throughout this winter only one man, on an average of weeks, has been out of work. " Six weeks more threshing, Sir, and master has plenty for me to do after," said a man to me, last Sunday, whom I asked about his prospects. No applica- tion has been made to me for work this winter, though I usually employ as far as I am able any who are " off work." The following is the rate of wages of one of our principal farmers. Woodmen and ditchers 14s.
Threshers 12s.
Carters 13s.
General labourers Ils.
The two first work byi" the piece,' and make what they can. I have given you the average earnings of able-bodied men. In the matter of food and clothing, I can speak from constant personal inter- course with almost every one here. And I well know that during five years in which my profession has connected me with the poor, I have never seen so little want. The price of potatoes is Gd. a bushel higher than at this time last year; and flour, &c., are, as we all know, dearer. But set against this, not only that the farmers have raised their men's wages a shilling, but that coals and clothing are cheaper. I never remember so much good clothing bought, nor so little sickness. A very good test of the condition of the labourers is afforded by parochial clubs: for as the benefit in these is prospective, generally at this time for about a year, men pinched with want cannot possibly afford to join them. How do we stand this test ? I have the management of these-a coal, a clothing, and a savings club for rent, &c. In the first, 80 families paid regularly 2d. a week till De- cember; in the second, 170 persons, being SO more than last year, continue to pay the same; in the third, the members of which are no better off than their neighbours, 20 pay (weekly also) 6d., Is., 2s., 2s. Gd. This may be taken as a fair sample of the condition of this part of Hertford- shire. We are not "a pet parish"; for no squire or resident gentleman is among -us. I myself am a poor man, able to do little more than advise and plan for my parishioners. I am far from saying that the condition of the labourers is as good as it might or ought to be. I sin speaking comparatively of the times; and I am quite sure that now they are for the most part perfectly contented.
I will just add, in order that I may not seem to be vamping up a case favour- able to the landlords, that, as far as I understand the matter, I am altogether against the Corn-laws.
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