old earl of that family, who lived at
this time. The author has been favored with the perusal of it; and it
contains many curious particulars, which mark the manners and way of
living in that rude, not to say barbarous, age; as well as the prices of
commodities. I have extracted a few of them from that piece, which
gives a true picture of ancient manners, and is one of the most singular
monuments that English antiquity affords us; for we may be confident,
however rude the strokes, that no baron's family was on a nobler or
more splendid footing. The family consists of one hundred and sixty-six
persons, masters and servants. Fifty-seven strangers are reckoned
upon every day; on the whole, two hundred and twenty-three. Twopence
halfpenny are supposed to be the daily expense of each for meat, drink,
and firing. This would make a groat of our present money. Supposing
provisions between three and four times cheaper, it would be equivalent
to fourteenpence: no great sum for a nobleman's housekeeping; especially
considering that the chief expense of a family at that time consisted
in meat and drink; for the sum allotted by the earl for his whole
annual expense is one thousand one hundred and eighteen pounds seventeen
shillings and eightpence; meat, drink, and firing cost seven hundred and
ninety-six pounds eleven shillings and twopence, more than two thirds
of the whole; in a modern family it is not above a third, (p. 157,
158, 159.) The whole expense of the earl's family is managed with an
exactness that is very rigid, and, if we make no allowance for ancient
manners, such as may seem to border on an extreme; insomuch that the
number of pieces which must be cut out of every quarter of beef, mutton,
pork, veal, nay, stock-fish and salmon, are determined, and must be
entered and accounted for by the different clerks appointed for that
purpose. If a servant be absent a day, his mess is struck off. If he go
on my lord's business, board-wages are allowed him, eightpence a day for
his journey in winter, fivepence in summer. When he stays in any place,
twopence a day are allowed him, besides the maintenance of his horse.
Somewhat above a quarter of wheat is allowed for every mouth throughout
the year; and the wheat is estimated at five shillings and eightpence
a quarter. Two hundred and fifty quarters of malt are allowed, at four
shillings a quarter. Two hogsheads are to be made of a quarter, which
amounts to about a bottle and a third