manifest towards the sick amongst them, or such as have
been accidentally injured; and although most independent in their
notions, and impatient of control, they seem always thankful for real
kindness. What they chiefly lack is more generosity and candour towards
strangers, and a clearer understanding of their duties as protectors of
the national property, in respect of the crops of timber which grow
around them. {151} In most mining districts the moral habits of the
people are more or less in a low state, and they are certainly not worse
here than elsewhere. One source of evil arises from the large ablutions
which their working underground necessitates. The process of washing on
their return from the pit is not performed as privately as it might be,
and the effect of this upon the moral perceptions of the people, huddled
together in their small cottages, is very injurious. It is a pity some
arrangement is not made for having washhouses at the pits, where a supply
of hot water from the boilers might be easily obtained for the purpose.

One half of the Forest population is understood to be employed at the
coal-works, a fourth part at those of iron, whose red dresses make them
easily known, and the remaining portion are employed in the quarries and
woods, &c.

Horses of a bad breed, donkeys, mules, cattle, sheep, pigs, and geese
abound, owing to the free pasture afforded by the open Forest, the three
former having been used for many generations in carrying iron-mine, coal,
charcoal, &c. Farming operations are necessarily very limited. Cider
obtained from the styre apple used to be a common beverage; but that
fruit has long been extinct, and malt-liquor is now mostly preferred.
Gardening is little attended to, the colliers generally feeling
indisposed to further exertion after returning from the pit. In few
instances only are bees kept. Formerly much of the wearing apparel was
made from home-spun wool, woven or knitted in the neighbourhood; but this
is not now the practice.

The turf-covered cabin, resting on four dry walls, without windows, and
pierced only by a low door, with a very rude fireplace and chimney in
"the pine end," and partially paved with rough stones, once the
habitation of the Forest "cabiner," is now almost entirely superseded by
two-floored cottages, often containing not less than four apartments. In
bygone days a few neighbours, taking advantage of a moonlight night,
accomplished the erect