John Cross, labourer, living near Wimborne, in Dorsetahire, received 8s.
a week wages. He also received an occasional shilling for a week's extra work, and two pounds in a lump for harvest. This he had paid away for things wanted in the house, his rent was ls. a week, and he had to keep himself, his wife, and seven children on a shilling a day. His wife was in her confinement, and not having sufficient fire, be stole a hurdle, value 6d., to make kindling. His master, who did not bring the complaint before the magistrates, substantially confirmed the man's story, and added that he gave as much wages as anybody in Dorsetahire. The magistrates gave the poor man fourteen days. We do not blame them, for theft is a crime, but how long, we wonder, do the owners of Dorsetshire think this kind of thing will go on? Till the Judgment, or only till Dorsetshire knows that in the States a good hedger can make his choice between five shillings a day and 150 acres of good land for nothing? Unless the system is altered, when Dorset can read, Dorset will be uninhabited.
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