Page:A short history of social life in England.djvu/217

Rh —their wages. Also I will have all my houses furnished and my lodging chambers to be suited with all such furniture as is fit; as beds, stools, chairs, suitable cushions, carpets, silver warming pans, cupboards of plate, fair hangings, and such like. So for my drawing chamber, in all houses, I will have them delicately furnished both with hangings, couch, canopy, glass, carpets, chairs, cushions, and all things thereunto belonging." Marriage in these days was very much a commercial proceeding, so much portion against so much income. The love of husbands and wives, of parents and children, was as strong as it had ever been and will ever be, but the ordinary falling in love of young men and women was not considered of the slightest importance. "I mean to marry my daughter to £2,000 a year," wrote one Englishman of this period to another. "I am afraid in these bad times you will not match your sisters as you desire," wrote another.

Thus a man was an appendage to fortune, children but pawns to advance the position and wealth of their parents. There was bargaining