CONTENTS.
| PART I. | |
| LIFE OF THE ARISTOCRACY. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Page | |
| Pre-eminence of England as a Place of Country Residence—Its Political andMoral Position—the Conveniences conferred by the Perfection of theArts on Social Life—Its Literature, Spirit of Freedom, Religious Feeling,and Philanthropic Institutions—the Delightfulness of its Country Residences;with its Parks, Lawns, Woods, Gardens, etc.—the Variety ofScenery in a small compass—Advantages of its Climate, notwithstandingall just cause of complaint—Its Soil sanctified by Noble Deeds, and IntellectualRenown—Real Superiority of England as a Place of Residence;shewn by its Effects on Foreigners—Willis’s Description of its Effect onhim | [1] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Enviable Position of the English Country Gentleman as regards all thePleasures and Advantages of Life—every Art and Energy exerted in hisFavour—by them his House surrounded with Delights—the Newsand the Luxuries of the World brought to his Table—Books, Music,Paintings at his command—Farming, Gardening, Planting, Field-sportsall within his grasp—Scenes which offer themselves to extend his Pleasures—theService of his Country open to him—Facilities for Travel—Pursuits andPleasures afforded by Country Life to Ladies | [10] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Life of the Gentry in the Country—Effect of the Annual Visit of the Aristocracyto Town—Pleasure of re-assembling at their Country Houses—Impressionsof our Country Houses and Country Life on Foreigners—the GermanPrince’s Description of the Dairy at Woburn Abbey—Willis’s Descriptionof the Mode of Life at Gordon Castle—The peculiar Charms of this kind ofLife | [18] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| Routine of Country Sports—Hunting, Shooting, Coursing, pursued in adifferent Style to that of our Ancestors—each its own Season, Apparatus,and Appointments—English Sportsmen communicate their Knowledgethroughthe Press—the Extinction of Falconry—the Perfection of Fox-huntingin this Country—Manner in which some Old Sportsmen amusethemselves during the Summer—Favour into which Angling has risen oflate years—our Tourist-Anglers—Grouse-Shooting: its exciting Nature—Symptomsof the approach of 12th of August in England, the same asexhibited in Scotland—Sportsmen on their way to the Highlands by thePacket—the Contrast between them and Pedestrianizing Students—TomOakleigh’s Description of the Commencement of Grouse-Shooting on theMoors—other Features of it, both there and in Scotland—Return fromPartridge-Shooting—a Word with the Too-Sensitive | [29] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| Scientific Farming: Its State, Implements, and Admirers, Ancient and Modern—AgriculturalPursuits delighted in by the greatest Men of all Ages—Attachmentof the Roman Nobility to them—Cicero’s enthusiastic Encomiumson Country Affairs—Farming now practised as a Science—VastImprovements during the last Century—Multiplicity of its Modern Implements—Benefitsderived from Chemistry and Mechanics—ProgressiveImprovements in Tillage, Breed of Cattle, Wool, Machinery, etc. by Tull,Menzies, Bakewell, Lord Somerville, Coke, Duke of Bedford, the Culleys,etc.—by Periodicals and Associations—Men to whom Agricultural Interestsare peculiarly Indebted—Characters of the Duke of Buccleugh and LordSomerville, by Sir Walter Scott—Anecdote of the Duke of Portland | [49] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| Planting: Its Pleasures—Vast Effect of the Writings of Evelyn in England,and Dr. Johnson in Scotland—Evidences of the Growth of the PlantingSpirit in all Parts of the Kingdom—Wordsworth’s Complaint of the Larchin the Lake Country—Larch Plantations of the Duke of Athol—Hiscalculated Profits—Monteith of Stirling’s Calculations of the Profits of 100Acres of Oak Planting in seventy years—Anecdote of an extensive Planter | [59] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| Gardens—Pleasures of them—Retrospective View of English Gardens—Influenceof our Imaginative Writers on their Character—Writers beforethe Reign of Elizabeth—the Roman Style of Gardens under the name ofItalian, French and Dutch Gardens, prevalent till the 18th Century, overturnedby the Writings of Addison, Pope, and Walpole, and by the Worksof Bridgman, Kent, and Brown—Gardens of Hampton Court, Nonsuch,Theobalds, etc., as described by Hentzner in 1598—the Old Style ofGardens appropriate to the Old Houses and the Character of the Times—Advantagesof the Prevalence of different Tastes at different Periods pointedout—Laborious Lives and Travels of our earlier Gardeners and Botanists—ourOld Gardens interesting objects in different parts of the Kingdom—theirClassical Antiquity pleaded in their favour | [67] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| Country Excitements—Diminution of the Enjoyment of Country Life byPetty Rivalries and Jealousies; and by the Neglect of Walking—Racinga great cause of excitement to the Gentry in the Country—the PresentState of the Turf, as shewn by Nimrod—Variety afforded by Race andCountry Balls, Musical Festivals, etc.—Confirmation—Parade of AssizeTime—the Sheriff’s Pageant | [77] |
| PART II. | |
| LIFE OF THE AGRICULTURAL POPULATION. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| The English Farmer: his Character, and Mode of Life—Picture of the approachto a Market-Town on a Market-Day—Farmers going in and coming out—Contrastbetween the Space occupied by the Concerns of the Farmer andthe City Trader—Enviable Aspect of the Farmer’s Abode—his Life andSoul in his Profession—his Conversation—a great Charm in Natureworking with him—Delight which Poets and Great Men have found inFarming—the Intellectual Grade of the Farmer—Pressing Hospitalitiesof Farmers and their Wives—a Sketch of one Day’s Feasting at a Farm-House—Dinner,and its chaos of Good Things—Tea, and the arrival ofFresh Guests—who they are—Traits of Character both of Men andWomen of this Class—the Dance, and the Departure | [87] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| The English Farmer as operated upon by Modern Circumstances—Complaintof Cobbett that the Farmer is spoiled by Modern Refinement—In whatDegree this is true—Men of all Ranks to be found amongst Farmers—theOld Farmer in retired Parts of England as Rustic as ever—Effects ofPolitical Economy—Evils of the Large Farm System—the Farmer in aHealthy State of the Country—Drawbacks on the Pleasantness of FarmHouses—the Remedy easy—Advantages and Disadvantages of LargeFarms stated—Instance of the Success of a Small Farmer, and its obviousCauses—Just Equilibrium of Interests, an open field for Enterprise necessaryto National Prosperity | [99] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Farm-Servants, and their Mode of Life—a Peak-of-Derbyshireman’s Addressto his Guest—the Plodding Farmer and his Wife—the Journal of aFarmer’s Day, by Mr. Robinson of Cambridge—Mode in which Farm-Servants,both Men and Women, are brought up—Ordinary Course of theFarmer-Man’s Life—the same in Harvest—Sketch of him as preparingfor Plough, or for the Team—Custom of going out with the Wagon todeliver Corn, etc.—Anecdote of a “Statesman’s” Wife in Cumberland | [107] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| The Bondage System of the North of England—Manner in which it strikes aStranger from the South—Bands of Women working in the Fields—Modeof Maintaining the Hinds—Description of their Cottages—Cottage of theHerd of Middleton—Cobbett’s Surprise on discovering the Bondage System—hisView of its Effects on the Population and Productiveness of theCountry—Curious Coach Scene near Morpeth—Cobbett’s Address to theChopsticks of the South on the State of the Bondage District—BondageFarms and Farm-yards—Lodgings of the Hinds—their Allowance of Cornand Pease—the Schoolmaster paid in Meal—Precarious Nature of theTenure of their Houses—Enormous Rent of the Land—the Farm-yards,Corn Factories—Scantiness of the Population compared with the AgriculturalDistricts of the South—Hardships of the System on the Hinds—aCertificate required from the last Master—the same Custom in the Collieriesof the Midland Counties—Statements of Mr. and Mrs. Grey, Mr. Dodds,etc.—Concluding Remarks | [119] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| The Terrors of a Solitary House—Sense of Insecurity which a Townsman feelsin a Solitary House at Night—Wide Difference in our Feeling of such aPlace by Day and by Night—Nervous Fancies excited by them on StormyNights—Decrease of Burglaries and Highway Robberies through ModernImprovements—Noble Defence of his House by Colonel Purcell—Attackof the House of a Welsh Gentleman, Mr. Powell, and his Murder—Factrelated by a Minister of the Society of Friends—Sturdy Rogues—Fright ofan Old Gentleman with one—Cowardice inspired by living in a SolitaryHouse—Superstitions generated by such Places—Concluding Remarks | [139] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| Midsummer in the Fields—the Spiritual Effect of Green Fields at Midsummer—TrueWisdom of Izaak Walton—Delicious Haunts of the Angler at thisSeason—Profound Repose of Trees—Rich Mosaic of Fields—Sound ofBirds at this Season—Mowers at work—Delights of Brooksides, with theirPlants and Insects—Curious Metamorphosis of Midges—Beauty of Dragon-flies—SummerBirds—Feelings connected with this fleeting Season | [159] |
| PART III. | |
| PICTURESQUE AND MORAL FEATURES OF THE COUNTRY. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Gipsies: their History and present State—Gipsies Part and Parcel of the EnglishLandscape—an essential Portion of our Poetry and Literature—Uses madeof them by many kinds of Writers—Gipsy Adventure of Sir Roger deCoverley—Gipsy Sketches by Wordsworth, Cowper, Crabbe, and others—Inquiriesafter their Origin—the Notion of the Ettrick Shepherd of it—Arab-likeCharacter of Gipsies—Researches of Grellman and Buttner intothe Gipsy Origin—Account of their Numbers, Treatment, and Habits inall Nations—their Language—various Names by which they are and havebeen known—M. Hasse’s Theory of their Antiquity—pointed out by Herodotusand Strabo—Causes of their more numerous Appearance in WesternEurope about the year 1400—their first entry into France in 1427, asdescribed by Pasquin—Banished by Proclamation—the same Policy pursuedin other Countries—Cruelties practised on them in Spain—Order todrive them from France with Fire and Sword—Attempt to expel them fromSweden, Denmark, Italy, and England—Entry respecting them in theParish Records of Uttoxeter—the Inquiries of Mr. Hoyland into theirHistory and Condition—his Visits to their Haunts at Norwood and London—theirAnnual Progresses from London through various Counties—Mr.Hoyland’s Researches in Scotland—the Border-Country their chiefResort—Letter of Sir Walter Scott respecting them—Remarkable Scenewith them at Riding the Marches near Yetholm—Sir Walter Scott’s recognitionof one of them at Kelso Fair—the Family of the Faas—Old WillFaa, the Gipsy King’s Journey to see the Laird on his Death-bed—MegMerrilies one of their Clan—the Author’s Visit to Yetholm—the GipsyHouses—the Feud between them and the Shepherds—Old Will Faa, thepresent King—theImportance given him by Sir Walter Scott’s Writings—hisSmuggling and Fighting—his Portrait by Sir Martin Arthur Shee—GeneralReview of their Numbers and Condition in these Kingdoms—Campnear Nottingham, and Death of the Gipsy King—Peculiarities ofthe whole Race—their estimated Numbers in Europe—Children sent toSchool in London—Gipsy Wife reading her Bible to her Children—Feelingsnaturally presented by the sight of a Gang—Gipsies of NewForest—Exertions of Mr. Crabbe and the Home Missionary Society—Gipsies’Advocate published—Mrs. Southey’s Account of the New ForestGipsies, and particularly the Stanley family—Anecdote of George III. andthe dying Gipsy—Curious Accidental Meeting of the Author with twoLadies of Rank acting the Gipsies in Surrey | [165] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Nooks of the World, or a Peep into the Back Settlements of England—Beautyand Repose of many such Places to the eye—their Intellectual Slumber—Wordsworth’sDescription of a Farmer-lad—the Books generally to befound in primitive Cottages—Worst State of Morals in Districts partlyAgricultural and partly Manufacturing—Exertions of the Methodists—theEffect of Political Pressure on the Working Class—Necessity of soundEducation—the Effect of it in Scotland—Rural Book Societies recommended—AnExample of the Effect of Reading on a Working Man—SordidCharacter of the People of some Property in obscure Hamlets—APhysician living in a Dove-Cote—Sketch of a Country Proprietor and hisFamily—the Farmer Brothers—the Land Agent’s account of a curiousDinner Scene at the Squire’s—a worthy Example of the Old School ofCountry Gentlemen—Education the great need of the Rural Districts | [196] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Nooks of the World: Part II.—Life in the Dales of Lancashire and Yorkshire—WideContrast between the Aspect and Condition of the Agricultural andManufacturing Districts—Poverty and Rudeness of some Parts of Lancashire—Half-wildChildren in the Lancashire Hills—Old Factory System—WildCountry between Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales—GeneralCharacter of the Dales—Primitive Simplicity of the People—Formerlymuch visited by George Fox—a Friend’s Meeting—Dent Dale—SingularAppearance of the Bed of the River Dent—Rural Occupation and Vehicles—Populationof a Dale divided into little Communities—Customs at a Birth—KnittingParties—Knitting Songs—other Particulars of their KnittingHabits—Instances of Eccentricities of Character—Dislike of Factories—EveryPerson and House has its Name—Singular Story of Deception practisedon a rich Widow—Peculiar Customs of the Dales—their Hospitality | [221] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| Old English Houses—General Impression of them—the strong Historic Interestconnected with them—a delightful Record of such Abodes might bewritten—Feelings that arise in passing through them—their various Styles,Furniture, Pictures, Tapestry, and Arms, Memorials of the Changes ofNational Power and Manners—Passages of most Tragical Interest indicatedby many of our Family Pictures—Treasures of Ancient Art collectedin our Noble Houses—Horace Walpole’s Wish, that all our Noble Mansionswere congregated in London—beneficial Influence of the Country Residenceof the Aristocracy—Feelings of Horace Walpole on visiting hisFather’s House at Houghton | [249] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| Hardwicke Hall—the Author’s Visit to it on the present Duke’s coming ofAge—Scenes which presented themselves—a Second Visit with a Party ofFriends—a Third Visit after the lapse of Twenty Years—Present Aspectof the Place—Building Mania of Bess of Hardwicke—Remains of the OldHall of Hardwicke—Gog and Magog—Arabella Stewart, and Queen ofScots imprisoned there—Chapel—Old Tapestry—Family Gallery—GoodTaste by which the House is kept in its Original State—Statue of theQueen of Scots—Mrs. Jameson’s Account of Hardwicke—the Duke there—hisApartments—Contrast of different Ages presented by such Houses asHardwicke, Haddon, and Chatsworth | [257] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| Annesley Hall, and Hucknall—Annesley Hall, the abode of Mary Chaworth,most singularly overlooked by Visiters to Newstead—Tomb and Funeralof Lord Byron—Scene in the Vault on the Evening of the Funeral—Moore’sVisit to the Tomb—Variety of Visiters shewn by the Book keptby the Clerk—Inscription by Lord Byron’s Sister—Interesting Signatures—AnnesleyHall—the Hill mentioned by Byron in “The Dream”—CuriousMistake by Moore—the “Diadem of Trees in circular array,” cutdown by Mary Chaworth’s Husband—a Mechanic’s Exclamation on hearingof it—Interesting Aspect of the Old Place in its Woods—State ofDesolation in which it was found by the Author—the Old Housekeeper—Descriptionof the Interior—Superstitions of the Place—Paper Cuttingson the Drawing-room Screen—Likeness of Mary Chaworth thereon—FineOld Terrace— Scene of Lord Byron’s last Interview with Mary Chaworth—hermelancholy after-life here—Impressions during the Visit to thisPlace | [268] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| Newstead Abbey—Picturesque Approach to it—Recollection of a former Visit—theDesolation of the Place then—Byron’s own Description of it—theGallery — the Library—Sculls and Crucifix—Dog’s Tomb—the SatyrStatues—Eccentric Character of the former Lord Byron—Anecdotes ofLord Byron’s Minority—Paintings connected with the Poet’s History—Generalgood Taste displayed by the present Possessor of the Abbey—Exceptionsto this Taste—General Description of the Abbey from Don Juan—Housesof Fletcher and Rushton—Tree inscribed by Lord Byron—Demolitionof the Mill—Concluding Remarks on the Old Houses ofEngland, and List of the most remarkable | [290] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| Characteristics of Park Scenery | [302] |
| PART IV. | |
| CAUSES OF THE STRONG ATTACHMENT OF THE ENGLISH TO COUNTRY LIFE. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Love of the Sublime and Beautiful in Nature more eminently developed inModern than in Classical Literature—the Fact striking, that the Love ofNature is so conspicuous in our Literature, more faint in that of the Continent,still more in that of the Ancients—this Affection only developedinproportion to the Intellectual Culture of our Nature—the same Objectspursued in Art as in Literature, the Sublime and Beautiful—the GreekPoets more cognizant of the Amenities than the Sublimity of Nature—Homerthe greatest Exception—Instances of his higher Perceptions—Hesiodnearly destitute of it—Theocritus most alive to the Picturesque—hisPicture of the Two Fishermen, of King Anycus, of a Drinking-cup—hisluxurious Sense of Out-of-door Enjoyment—Love of Nature amongstthe Romans—one Cause of the continuance of their Simplicity of Life—instancedin Virgil, Horace, and Cicero—Modern Literature a NewWorld of Feeling and Sentiment—Difference between Longinus andBurke—Love of Nature in the Ancients, incidental—Ours a perpetualAffection—Instanced in Wordsworth, Shelley, and Byron—Originatingcause to be found in Christianity—Development of it in the HebrewLiterature—Completion of it in the Christian Revelation—Proofs of this | [305] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Development of the Love of the Country greater in English than in ContinentalLiterature—Comparison of our Literature, in various Departments,with the Continental—German Literature kindred to the English—TheIdylls of Voss—Testimony of a French Writer to our greater Love ofNature—the Influence of the Writings of John Wilson in Blackwood’sMagazine, and of Bewick’s Wood-cuts | [324] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Influence of Wood-engraving on the Love of the Picturesque in the Country—Introductionof Stereotyping Wood-cuts in the Cheap Magazines—ProbableResults from the Use of the Art—in what respects Wood is superiorto Copper or Steel—Causes that prevent the Successors of Bewick equallinghim in Knowledge of Nature—how this Defect is to be remedied | [341] |
| PART V. | |
| THE FORESTS OF ENGLAND. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| The Forests of England—Our Forests amongst our most interesting Objects—Sceneryof England as we may suppose it in the Feudal Ages, and as it isnow—Charms with which our Imaginations and Town Restraints haveinvested the Feudal Times—Antiquity of our Forests—Derivation of theName—New Forest created by the Conqueror; Sixty-seven Forests previouslyexisting—Various Opinions respecting the Origin of New Forest—theRavages of William, and Death of his two Sons and Grandson in it—Numberof Forests, Chases, and Parks formerly belonging to the Crown—ForestSystem an Imperium in Imperio—Its Courts, Laws, and Officers—Consequencesof the few Judges, and long Intervals between Trials—Severityof both Laws and Oaths on the Officers—Freeholds granted inForests subject to the Forest Laws—Forest Boundaries of a peculiarDescription—Drifts of the Forest—Barbarous Penalties for killing Deerdecreed by the Norman Kings—these softened by successive Monarchs—Preambleof the Assise of the Forest of Edward I.—Law of Attachment ofOffenders in the Forest expressed in an old Rhyme—Lawing of Dogs; inwhat it consisted—Other curious Provisions of the Assises of the Forests—Regardersappointed by Henry II.— their Duties—Inquisitions into theState of Forests by Elizabeth—the Forest Laws disused after the Revolution—Listof the Ancient Forests | [348] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| New Forest—Retains more of its Forest Character than any other—Boundariesnow nearly the same as in Charles II.’s time—Places in the Forest—ItsFeatures as you pass through it—as compared with other Forests—notthe Ruin of a Forest, but a Forest in its Prime—the Cause of this—PicturesqueStyle of the Cottages and small Enclosures in its Neighbourhood—aDay’s Stroll through it by the Author—Feelings inspired by its Solitudeand Air of Antiquity—Forest Farms, Swine, Cattle and their Bells—Spotwhere Rufus was killed, near Stony-Cross—the Descendants ofPurkess, who conveyed the body of Rufus to Winchester—Tradition of theCart-wheel—Gilpin’s Parsonage and School—his Opinion of the Originof the New Forest Horses—Wild Population of the Forest—Adventure ofa Physician with them—Forest Walks and Lodges—Stirrup of Rufus preservedat Lyndhurst—the Forest Court a singular Scene, as described byMr. Stewart Rose | [366] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Sherwood Forest—In a very different State to New Forest—Celebrated as theScene of Robin Hood’s Exploits—the Norman Kings, especially John,fond of Hunting there—Formerly of great Extent; containing Nottingham,Mansfield, Annesley, Newstead, etc.—Its Constitution and Affairs—CuriousFact regarding the Byrons and Chaworths—Present Extent ofthe Forest—Bilhaghe an unique and impressive Remains of a Portion of it—Birklanda beautiful Tract of Birch Woodland—Its Fairyland Character—ConcludingRemarks | [380] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| Forest Enclosures—Injuries to the Arts, Manufactures, and the IntellectualTaste of the Public to be apprehended from such Enclosures—Logic ofLawyers and Land-Surveyors—Open Lands needed for Public Enjoyment—thatOpen Lands are Unproductive, shewn to be a very false Notion—theUnchristian Principle on which Enclosures have been conducted—Enclosuresinimical to our National Interests—Numbers who seek theRefreshment of Summer Visits to our Forests, Coasts, Moors, and Mountains—theUtilitarian Enclosures of certain Lands recommended | [388] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| Wild English Cattle—Places where they still exist—Bewick’s Description ofthem—the Author’s Visit to Chillingham Park in 1836, to see the greatHerd—Lord Tankerville’s Account of them | [393] |
| PART VI. | |
| HABITS, AMUSEMENTS, AND CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Cottage Life—Wide Space between the Life of the Hall and that of the Cottage—theRoutine of the Labourer’s Life—a Blow aimed at his DomesticSecurity—a Highland Hut—a Night passed in one—Abodes of Povertycalled Rookeries—the Beauty of English Cottages in some Parts ofEngland—a Thought on seeing such by Professor Wilson—Delightfulnessof some of the Cottages of the Wealthy and Refined | [402] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Popular Festivals and Festivities—Sketch of their History—of Catholic Origin—Thegreat Change in the Public Taste regarding them traced to theReformation—Subsequent co-operating Causes pointed out—the IntellectualCharacter of the Popular Taste still Progressive | [414] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| May-Day Festivities—Formerly celebrated with more Gaiety than any others—Camedown from Pagan Antiquity in all their Arcadian Beauty—It wasthe Festival of the Poets—None now more entirely obsolete—WashingtonIrving’s Delight at seeing Plough-bullocks and May-poles in the Neighbourhoodof Newstead—great Decline of these things during the last ThirtyYears even there—a few May-poles still to be found in Nottinghamshireand Derbyshire—May-dances quite gone by—May day celebrated withenthusiasm by the Poets—European Observance of May derived from theRoman Festival of Flora—Saxon Customs of this period of the year—DruidCustoms—Blowing of Horns at Oxford and other places—Custommentioned by Erasmus, of placing a Deer’s Horns on St. Paul’s Altar—Customof the Hindus—Beltane in Ireland and Scotland—May-feast ofNorthumberland—Fishing for the Wedding-ring—Roman Feast of Floraimitated in France and England—Various Additions here of Robin Hood,Maid Marian, Friar Tuck, etc.—Spenser and Herrick’s description ofMay-day Festivities—Henry VIII., Elizabeth, and James I.’s goinga-Maying—Sheriffs and Aldermen of London going a-Maying—Congratulatedby Lydgate the Poet—In 1644, all May-poles pulled down—In1654 Maying again, in presence of the Lord Protector—Great May-polein the Strand raised again at the Restoration—Aubrey’s Account of theMay-booms in Holland—Complaints of Aubrey and Evelyn of Injury doneto the Woods by Mayers—May Customs that yet remain | [421] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| Easter Festivities—May the Festival of the Young, Easter that of the Church—Celebrationof Easter in Catholic Countries—Royal Distribution of Almson Maunday Thursday at Whitehall, still kept up—Easter at Moscow,Jerusalem, Rome, and other Places—Eating Hot-cross buns, and going toChurch the sole remaining Ceremonies in England—Easter Morning asdescribed by Goethe—Strange Plays acted in Churches by the Monks atEaster—Churchwardens’ Accounts at Reading for such Expenses—PaschalLights—Lighting the Annual Fire at the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem—EasterCustoms in various Countries—Paschal Eggs—Peculiar Privilegesattached to their Presentation in Russia—Courts shut, and Business suspendedformerly in London—Still a Time of great Recreation to Mechanicsthere—Less observed in Country Towns—Pace-eggs still given in someCountries—Heaving, or Lifting—Ball Play | [432] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| Whitsuntide Festivities—Sole Religious Festival that continues a Popular one—thispartly owing to Friendly Societies—Joyous Aspect of this VillageFete—Whitsuntide Village Processions as seen by the Author in his Youth—fineSubject for a Painter—these Love-Feasts of the People very appropriateto this Period, being that of the Agapai, or Love-Feasts of the earlyChristians—Objections to their being held at Public Houses—this remediable—Whitsuntideas witnessed at Warsop in Nottinghamshire—ConcludingRemarks | [444] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| Christmas Festivities—the Festival of the Fireside—Its Ancient Usages madefamiliar by our Popular Writers—Burton’s Account of Christmas Games—Withers’Poetical Description of Christmas 200 years ago—Scott’s Viewof them as seen in the past—Pageants at this Season in Catholic Countries,as at Rome, Naples, and in Spain—Interesting Domestic Custom in Germany—Christmasas now passed by the Poor, and by the Middle andHigher Classes—the Waits—Christmas Visiting and Country Games—ChristmasCarols, as sung about Manchester, collected by the late MissJewsbury—Christmas Customs still kept up—George and the Dragon—BlessingOrchards, etc.—Concluding Remarks on the Present State ofPopular Festivals | [451] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| The Fairy Superstitions—Fairies all vanished from the Country—gone inChaucer’s Days—Bishop Corbett’s Farewell to them—Hogg their last Poet—Fairiesof Caldon-Low—Made Immortal by Milton and Shakspeare—Beliefof them yet lingering in Wales—Robin Goodfellow and the Lubberfiendof Milton thrown out of employ by the Thrashing Machine—Fairie’s-Waterfallat Aberpergum—Morgan Lewis the Neath Guide’s Account oftheir positive Departure | [473] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| The Village Inn—the Old-fashioned Village Inn a very different place to theNew Beer-Shop—its General Aspect—its Old Tree—Remarkable Tree ofthis kind at the Golden Grove, near Chertsey—the Country Inn Kitchen—Descriptionof Landlords by which such Inns are kept—their Cleannessand Rural Plenty—Patronized by all Classes, from the Squire downwards—HumorousCharacters often found there—Curious Scene once witnessedby the Author at a Country Inn in Yorkshire—The New Beer-Shops auniversal Nuisance | [480] |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| Popular Places of Resort—Wakes, Statutes, and Fairs—the Wake, the Feastof the Dedication of the Parish Church, now dwindled into a VillageHoliday—Anticipation of it by the Rural People—Wake Festivities—theWake, in some places yet connected with Church-rites.—Statutes:Meetings by Legal Statute for the Hiring of Servants—Attendance ofFarmers, their Wives, and Men and Women Servants—their Appearance—Shepherds,Ploughmen, Milkmaids, and their Insignia—Earnest-Money—AfternoonJollification—in the Northern Counties the Bondage Girlshired at similar Meetings—Fairs: Places of both Business and Pleasureto all Classes of Country People—Nottingham Great October and GooseFair taken as a specimen—Preparations for its Attendance—Fair Sceneryand Characters—Proclamation of the Fair—Corporation Procession—GigFair—Peculiar Tastes and Pleasures of Fair-goers—Good Subjects for thePainter presented | [493] |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| Popular Places of Resort, continued—The Rural Watering Place | [502] |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| Sports and Pastimes of the People—History of their Changes and Present State—Sportsgenerated by the Feudal Habits—Sports introduced by theCatholic Church—the mere brutal Portion of both these remaining in thelast Century—many of these now abolished, and a better Class encouraged—Sportsand Pastimes prevalent in Farming Districts and obscure Hamlets—Prevalenceof Cricket—Description of a Cricket-Match between Nottinghamand the Sussex Club—Auguries drawn from the Present PopularTaste | [515] |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| Wrestling: Its History and present Practice—this Exercise, formerly sogeneral, now confined to a few Counties—Cornwall and Devon, Lancashire,Cumberland and Westmoreland—these Counties possessing Practices peculiarto themselves—Grand Annual Wrestling in Clerkenwell, formerly attendedby the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London—Curious Anecdote of aMinister of the Society of Friends of that day—West of England andWestmoreland and Cumberland Clubs in London—Attempt of Sir ThomasParkyn to establish Wrestling in Nottinghamshire—Cornish Wrestling—Fuller’sOpinion of it—Account of it by an Eye-witness—Champions ofCornwall and Devon—Games established at St. Ives in Cornwall by JohnKnill—the Canns of Dartmoor, and Widdicombs of the Moors—Descriptionof a Match at the Eagle Tavern Green, City Road, in 1826, betweenDevon and Cornwall | [531] |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| Favourite Pursuits of English Cottagers and Workmen—the Genius of theWorking Class—its Effects on the Happiness of that Class—almost everyMan his Hobby—Pigeon-fanciers, Dog-fanciers, Lovers of Music, Singing,Bellringing, Poaching, Bird-stuffing, Bird-catching—A Caveat against kidnappingof Nightingales—Interior of a Bird-catcher’s House—Anecdote ofa Bird catcher—Angling, its effect on the Spirits—Lovers of Gardens andBees—Anecdote of a Bee-lover and the Abbess of Caverswall—Florists—Entomologists—Crabbe’sDescription of some known to him—Artisan’sGardens—Account of 5000 of these at Nottingham—Happiness to bediffused through the Working-class by sound Legislation | [541] |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| Sunday in the Country—Goethe’s Description of a Sunday in Germany—Applicablein a great degree to Sunday here—Trip to Richmond by the Steamer,and its Result—Passing of Sunday by many Inhabitants of large Towns—theStreet Preacher—the Sailor’s Chapel—the Irvingite Street-Preacher—ACamp-meeting—Profound Air of Repose in the Country on this Day—TheFarmer and his Household—Groups going Churchward—theCountry Church a Place congenial to Worship—Social Pleasures of SundayEvening—Millions who enjoy the Blessings of a Day of Rest—Holy Influenceof Sunday—Evening Walk | [555] |
| CHAPTER XV. | |
| Cheap Pleasures of Country Life—No great Events needed by the Lover ofNature to render him Happy—Recollections of early Delight in the Country—Objectsof Pleasurable Observation as they present themselves in thecourse of the Seasons—Splendid Pictures presented by Nature—the SpiritofPeace and Gladness inspired by Nature, which renders so delightful theWritings of White, Evelyn, Walton, etc.—Testimonies of Coleridge andSir Henry Wotton to the profound Satisfaction to be found in CountryLife | [574] |
| CHAPTER XVI. | |
| Lingering Customs—Rapid Disappearance of Old English Customs—the BeautifulCustom of Hanging Garlands in Village Churches at the Funerals ofYoung Maidens, nearly extinct—Character of the Primitive Times lingersin the Village Church—Old-fashioned Congregations—Genuine Old VillageClerk—Circumstances occurring to the Author in Village Churches—theirSuperstitions—Village Notions of Angels and Cherubims—Country Customsat Funerals—Poetical Procession of Rush-bearing—Sanding atKnutsford—Eggs and Salt given to Children—Eating Simnel Cake—RidingStang, May Bushes and their Significance—Homage to the NewMoon—Charms—Superstitions connected with the Foxglove, the Dog-rose,the Cuckoo, Pigeon’s Feathers, etc.—Closing of Churchyards of late years—RichardHowitt’s Remarks on this Practice | [582] |
| CHAPTER XVII. | |
| Education of the Rural Population—what Education is doing, and leavingundone in the Poetry of Village Life—Peculiar Social Condition of Surrey—itsEffect on the Peasantry—Need of Schools—Mr. Allen’s School of Industryat Lindfield in Sussex—Schools of Industry established by the Earlof Lovelace, and Lady Noel Byron—School of Lady Noel Byron, atEaling, Middlesex—School of the Earl of Lovelace, at Oakham, Surrey | [593] |
| CHAPTER XVIII. | |
| Concluding Chapter—an extensive Observation of our own Country recommended—EveryPart presents some Variety of Beauty, Custom, or otherObject worthy of Notice—Some of these to be found on a Summer’s Routefrom London to Devon and Cornwall—Others in Routes of the SolitaryPedestrian through the Western, Midland, and Northern Counties—thewide Growth of the Spirit of Enjoyment in such Excursions—Numberswhich throng to all our Places of Natural Beauty, or Historic Interest—ConcludingRemarks | [603] |
PART I.
RURAL LIFE, PURSUITS, AND ADVANTAGES OF THE GENTRY OF ENGLAND.
CHAPTER I.
PRE-EMINENCE OF ENGLAND AS A PLACE OF COUNTRY RESIDENCE.
Let every man who has a sufficiency for the enjoyment of life, thank heaven most fervently that he lives in this country and age. They may tell us of the beauty of southern skies, and the softness of southern climates; but where is the land which a man would rather choose to call himself a native of—because it combines more of the requisites for a happy and useful existence; more of the moral, social, and intellectual advantages, without which fair skies or soft climates would become dolorous, or at best, indifferent? I say, let every man gratefully rejoice, who has the means of commanding the full blessings of English life,—for alas! there are thousands and millions of our countrymen who possess but a scanty portion of these; whose lives are too long and continuous a course of toil and anxiety to permit them even to look round them and see how vast are the powers of enjoyment in this country, and how few of those sources of ease, comfort, and refined pleasure are within their reach. I trust a better day is coming to this portion of our population; that many circumstances are working together to confer on the toiling children of these kingdoms the social rewards which their unwearied industry so richly merits; but for those who already hold in their hands the golden key, where is the country like England? If we are naturally proud of making a portion of a mighty and a glorious kingdom, where is the kingdom like England? It is a land of which the most ambitious or magnanimous spirit may well say with a high emotion—“That is my country!” Over what an extent of the earth it stretches its territories; over what swarming and diversified millions it extends its sceptre! On every side of the globe, lie its outspread regions; under every aspect of heaven, walk its free or tributary people. In the West Indies; in the vaster dominions of the East; in America and Australia; through each wide continent, and many a fair island! But its political and moral power extends even far beyond these. What nation is there, however great, that does not look with breathless anxiety to the movements of England; what country is not bound up with it in the strongest interests and hopes; what country is there which does not feel the influence of its moral energy? Through all the cities and forests of Republican America, the spirit of England, as well as its language, lives and glows. France, Germany, and even Russia to the depths of its frozen heart, feel the emanations of its free and popular institutions. Every pulse of love which beats here—every principle of justice that is more clearly recognised—every sentiment of Christianity that is elevated on the broad basis of the human heart, hence spreads through the earth as from a centre of moral life, and produces in the remotest regions its portion of civilization.
Hence do I love my country!—and partake
Of kindred agitations for her sake;
She visits oftentimes my midnight dream;
Her glory meets me with the earliest beam
Of light, which tells that morning is awake.—Wordsworth.