It was from a knowledge of the state of the parish, that I assented to the collection, of which I enclose a statement.
Two farmers only had the audacity to allege that the effort was uncalled for; and a labourer of one of these must have gone barefooted to his work the whole winter, had not the money for a pair of shoes been advanced to him by the victim of the parish.
It appears to be a notion entertained by a chief patron of all our charities, that the wages and the treatment of the labourers in Kilkhampton are more favourable than in Morwenstow. But, but, but——
What is the weekly wage?
How paid?
If in corn, at what price?
And are there contracts in other respects?
These are not questions which I want to be answered, but only questions for your own private consideration.
A letter narrating the success of this appeal is in my hands, and may find a place here.
Feb. 21, 1861. My dear Sir,—I have postponed replying to your last letter until I could acquaint you with the progress or result of the subscriptions to the poor. Lord J. Thynne has given five pounds; Mr. Dayman, three pounds; Messrs. Cann and Harris, churchwardens, one pound each; other parishioners, about three or four pounds. So that we shall divide twenty-five pounds and upwards among the really destitute. I am much obliged to you for your readiness to allow my influence to count with that of others in the parish; but the reference in my letter to the churchwardens was to the past, and not altogether to the future. Be this as it may, when Moses languishes, manna falls, thank God!