THE HAPPY PEASANTRY OF ENGLAND.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 228, 13 June 1872, Page 8

THE HAPPY PEASANTRY OF ENGLAND.

(From the London "Sportsman") It used to be supposed that Goldsmith's description of " Sweet Auburn, lovliest village of the plain," in its best days was a fancy sketch. Travellers sought in vain for that favoured spot, where " health and plenty cheered the labouring swain." The romantic were never tired of enquiring where they -could find "those lovely bowers of innocence and ease" where "humble happiness endeared each scene." And tho curious in matters of political^ economy have tried without success t<^^ discover a place, where, as in the days before the commencement of England's griefs, ''every rood of land maintained its man." Wo cannot answer for details, but if a broad picture is worth anything, the claims of Stonelcigh, in Warwickshire, to be the Auburn of the poriod have been sadly overlooked. That this happy village will ever again be what it has been we doubt, for, as sin entered Paradise and destroyed its peace, so trades unionism has crept into Stoneleigh, and it is doomed. One cannot without a sigh k read the feeling description given of it by the vicar, the Rev. J. W. Leigb, who, as a brother to Lord Leigh, the great proprietor in these parts, must fbe thoroughly acquaiuted with all the ! daily life, the means," the feeling 3, the , thoughts of the simple rustics. At a meeting the other night be " made a panegyric on the hitherto peaceful village of Stoueleigh and the happy and contented condition of its villigers." No wonder the swains of Stoneleigh were happy and contented. Here are some of the " simple blessings of the lowly train," as given by the special correspondent of the "Daily News," now describing the life of the Warwick peasantry. One family of seven earn 15s. a week, and after paying 10s. Bd. for bread, coals, schooling, and rent, have 4s. 4cl. left forbutcher's meat, tea, sugar, soap, lights, clothes, boots and shoes, beer, medicine, and pocket money. Another family of eight earn 13s" a week, and after paying for rent, bread, and schooling, have I 2s. 2^-d. to spend in the luxuries enumerated above. And one old man, i who gets £9 15s. a year, has, after -paying as before, £-1 Bs. at his disposal for clothes, food other than the parish loaf, seeds for his garden and sundries. A " bold peasantry, their country's pride," indeed. Of course the parson, the Rev, J. W. Leigh, is " passing rich, on forty pounds a year."

In. England miners are killed accidentally at the rate of one in thirty, yearly. In this country they kill other people with fortuitous revolvers and casual bowie knives a± nearly the same rate,-~" San Francisco Newa» Letter,"