There the land is
just the same, and perhaps some effort is still made to keep it from
becoming altogether foul, so that a glance detects no difference.
The village feels it, but the world does not see it. The farmer has
left, and the money he paid over as wages once a week is no longer
forthcoming. Each man's separate portion of that sum was not much in
comparison with the earnings of fortunate artisans, but it was
money. Ten, twelve, or as much as fifteen shillings a week made a
home; but just sufficient to purchase food and meet other
requirements, such as clothes; yet still a home. On the cessation of
the twelve shillings where is the labourer to find a substitute for
it? Our country is limited in extent, and it has long been settled
to its utmost capacity. Under present circumstances there is no room
anywhere for more than the existing labouring population. It is
questionable if a district could be found where, under these present
circumstances, room could be found for ten more farmers' men. Only
so many men can live as can be employed; in each district there are
only so many farmers; they cannot enlarge their territories; and
thus it is that every agricultural parish is full to its utmost.
Some places among meadows appear almost empty. No one is at work in
the fields as you pass; there are cattle swishing their tails in the
shadow of the elms, but not a single visible person; acres upon
acres of grass, and no human being. Towards the latter part of the
afternoon, if the visitor has patience to wait, there will be a
sound of shouting, which the cattle understand, and begin in their
slow way to obey by moving in its direction. Milking time has come,
and one or two men come out to fetch in the cows. That over, for the
rest of the evening and till milking time in the morning the meadows
will be vacant. Naturally it would be supposed that there is room
here for a great number of people. Whole crowds might migrate into
these grassy fields, put up shanties, and set to work. But set to
work at what? That is just the difficulty. Whole crowds could come
here and find plenty of room to walk about--and starve! Cattle
require but few to look after them. Milch cattle need most, but
grazing beasts practically no one, for one can look after so many.
Upon inquiry it would be found that this empty parish is really
quite full. Very likely there are empty cottages, and yet it is
quite full. A cottage is of no use unless the occupier