The rates of labour admit of prodigious variations.... I apprehend that Chance has been the mother of three fourths. Famine before the exportation of corn was encouraged, and extreme high prices locally heightened the prices of labour, as the richer inhabitants were more or less willing to assist the poor. The rates so raised in some places continued after the occasion, in others were reduced.
In some places I was informed of the value of servants’ board, washing and lodging; average £9.
PRICES OF LABOUR IN THE MANUFACTURING TOWNS (SUMMARIZED)
| Men: | from | 15/- or 11/- (colliers) to 7/6 or 7/1 (textile) |
| per week |
| Women: | „ | 6/6 (potteries) or 5/4 (textile) to 3/3 (textile) |
| „ „ |
| Children: | „ | 5/- or 4/- (textile) to 1/8 or 1/- |
| „ „ |
| Average of poor rates: 1/1. | ||||
Poor rates are never nicely proportioned to the prices of provisions and the necessities of the poor, but depend on the temper of individuals, the caprice of parish officers and justices of the peace. They are as often raised by clamour as by real necessity.