Page:The English Peasant.djvu/99



To conclude, however, with a brighter picture, one that will show that there is nothing in agricultural labour of itself to depress a man, or to prevent his realising domestic happiness.

The Northumbrian peasantry are described as stalwart, vigorous, and healthy, independent yet courteous, provident and sober, with a profound belief in the advantages of education, and considerable religious principle. They enjoy good wages, and frequently rise to the position of stewards. Enter one of their cots. It is often but one apartment, lit up by a single window, with nothing but a concrete floor, and some are unceiled, or only have a partially ceiled roof. In one corner stands a large bedstead, the family heirloom, completely shrouded by white dimity; while a box-bed, closed in the daytime, is the children's resting-place at night. The stores of bacon overhead, the butter, and cheese, and meal in the half-open cupboard, the variety and whiteness of the bread and cakes on the table, attest the truth of the good wife's assertion when, with simple pride, she assures her visitor "that they are not poor."

The mahogany furniture, bright with hand-polish, the display of crockery and ornaments, the easy comfort of every arrangement, seen in the dancing light of a brilliant coal-fire, all tell of good housewifery and ample incomes. Every fire-place, too, has its set-pot and oven, both being in constant requisition, for they have plenty of meat. Yet the good wife will tell you that they had a "sair" fight for it before the children earned anything, for, if there was a point upon which they were determined, it was that the bairns should not go to work unless they spent at least the autumn and the winter in getting a little schooling. Surprising indeed are the facts related, showing the belief both parents and children entertain of the value of instruction. Shepherds club together to hire a perambulating schoolmaster, and they have their children taught Latin, and sometimes French and Euclid. In one district it is stated that there is not a person who cannot read and write.