and occasional improvements. In this case, it should be put in thorough repair by the landlord at the outset, or a sum allowed for that purpose, (perhaps a year's or half year's rent remitted,) or a proper abatement made in the rent. Such an agreement as this may answer very well, especially if the man's trade be such as would qualify him to do the needful repairs himself, in his leisure hours; for instance, a carpenter, a plasterer, or a mason; or indeed any other man, who may have acquired the happy art of turning his hand to anything. Five or ten pounds allowed in this way to such a man, will be laid out much more to his own comfort and satisfaction, and to the improvement of the premises, than could have been done by the landlord, with the same sum.

42. Such an agreement should be clearly understood by both parties-what is engaged and what is expected. It is better to have it written down, for the satisfaction of both there are many little things that may slip the memory, and occasion disputes. Beside, either party may die-and in that case it is right that there should be something to show to those who come after them,—what they really did agree to—how long a term the cottage is let for-what rent is to be paid, and when -what grates or other fixtures belong to the house-whether the tenant has liberty to move them or exchange them-whether he may stop up a window, or open a new one-what repairs are expected from the tenant-and whether he is entitled to any allowance, at leaving, for improvements that he may have made-whether the land-tax or quit-rent is to be paid by landlord or tenant. It is not much trouble or expense to get all this written and properly signed; and it may save a vast deal of trouble or expense, at some future time.

43. It is desirable in spending any thing, whether money or labour, on another person's property, to have some security that the enjoyment shall be our own. This may easily be obtained by the young couple whose respectable character I have portrayed. Any landlord will be glad to have such tenants; and an upright honourable man, will readily afford them any security of that kind that they can reasonably desire. If they should not be personally known to the landlord of the house they wish to occupy, the young man's employe or the master in whose service the young woman lived so respectably, will readily speak a good word for them; and, it needful, will most likely even become responsible for the regular payment of the rent. An established character is pro perty of the most valuable kind; and will be found so any day.

44. If the cottage you have fixed upon, stands empty, leave to occupy it may generally be obtained, the rent not com. mencing until the next quarter day. Thus you gain a week or two, or perhaps a month, in which to do the needful repairs and get it in order. And this is a great object to you, as you are to do the repairs yourself, perhaps assisted by some goodnatured work-fellow, in the branch which he understands better than you do; under the engagement that you will do as much for him another time. Neither of you can be there every day, and all day long; and it would be grievous to be paying rent before you fairly lived in the place.

CHAP. IV.

Of entering upon the Cottage.

45. I HAVE proceeded upon the supposition that my young friends wish to begin life upon a decent respectable plan. They might, to be sure, as many have done before them, make shift at first with one room, to eat, sleep, and work in—it might be furnished with an old bedstead, a few rickety chairs, a table, and a broken hutch; a rusty kettle, and a few cracked plates and platters, pots and pans:' and there they înight stive, and toil, and drudge, just to continue, for they could not hope to better their existence; and there they might bring into being a miserable race, with scarcely a chance of emerging from their native filth and wretchedness. But I take it for granted, that no such beginning will satisfy my readers. They are respectable young people, who have established a good character, and with prudent care have saved something from the earnings of their youthful days, to begin the married life with.

46. I ain studying for them to enjoy as many comforts as their present circumstances will prudently afford them; and that they should still be inspirited with the hope of bettering their condition in life. This hope, I know very well, is, as a sensible writer has expressed it,† 'beneficial to the

+ Slaney.

community, as well as advantageous to the individual. It cheers him in adversity; it encourages his industry; it promotes his content.' I shall here give you a few more of his remarks; both because they are sensible and suitable, and because they prove that all who recommend contentment to the poor, do not, (as some writers to whom I alluded in paragraph 5 would insinuate,) teach them to be content with poverty; or to think that religion requires them to be so. It is desirable that the working classes should be frugal, industrious, and contented;-contented, not with wretchedness and dirt, merely because their forefathers have been used to them -but contented with those comforts which are within reach of their own industry, care, and forethought—and contented with nothing less; endeavouring to provide in youth against the wants of their old age; provident against illness or loss of employment, they should depend upon their own exertions for support.' 'The scale of comfort and convenience which a labourer has been accustomed to think necessary, determines the time of marriage. He waits till he has attained what the opinion of his own class around him has deemed decent and fitting. The higher this scale of public opinion is kept, the better and the happier will the people be. It is widely dif ferent, in different countries. In Ireland, a pig, and a mud cabin, without window or furniture, is held sufficient; in Poland very little more is required. But in England, Scotland, Holland, and Switzerland, the decencies of life are better observed; and a young couple require at least a cottage, with some furniture, and implements of husbandry (or other trade.) The wish which many of the poor entertain, to buy a clock before they marry, to them a very expensive piece of furniture, has been by some regarded as ridiculous. But the effect of this wish is highly useful; it gives them something beforehand in the world, and habits of self-denial and industry to obtain it.'

47. ‘Fanaticism,' is a favourite word with some writers, when they wish to make it appear, (than which they know nothing is more false,) that writers who recommend religion, do so with a view to keep people contented in a state of destitution, slavery, and misery. But fanaticism is a hard word, and I shall have nothing to do with it. Whoever preaches, bear witness I do not, nor do I believe, that to be poor wretched is any mark of God's favour; nor would I have any man remain in that state, if by any honest means, he can

and

rescue himself from it; and I believe most, if not all, reason. able and religious people would say the same. But we shall speak about religion by and bye. Let us go on now with getting our cottage ready to inhabit; and as 'prevention is better than cure,' and it is easier to begin in a respectable creditable way, and go on steadily improving, than it is to get out of a state of wretchedness, after having once been accustomed to it, it is that which makes me so anxious for a good beginning.

48. Well, then-I conclude that my industrious careful young labourer, or workman, and his intended partner, in her respectable service, have each laid by a few pounds at least to begin the world with. Now let it be put to a good account, and made the best of. I should be sorry to see the example followed of an industrious, but headstrong young woman, whom I knew, who, having formed an attachment contrary to the advice of all her friends, when the banns of marriage were published, drew out her savings, amounting to upwards of twenty pounds, with which she purchased furniture-but before the marriage took place, she had a quarrel with her sweetheart, and the match was broken off. She had no where to put her furniture, nor any prospect of wanting it; so she sold it, part to her acquaintance, and part at a broker's shop; for the whole of it she got eight pounds, which she once more laid by, and went to service again; having paid upwards of twelve pounds for her freak.

49. I shall suppose that you have got the cottage to repair yourselves, and the garden to put in order. Now a great deal depends upon managing and timing things well. For instance, if it is the spring of the year, when the garden wants cropping, don't let the time slip-just dig up the ground, sow your onions and carrots, plant your potatoes, and prick out your cabbages-they will be growing without your care and labour, while you repair your house. But if you do your house first, you must go without a crop for that year. Ob serve too, to do out of doors work while the weather is fineyou can work in doors when it rains.

50. One of the first things to be done is to make good all the fences-it would be very grievous if, for want of this, a neighbour's pig, or other animal, should get in and destroy all your labour.

51. The next thing I would think of, is some posts for your wife to dry her linen. I speak now to the young man, as 1 expect it will be chiefly his care to get the place to rights. And, once for all, I say to both whatever you can contrive

If

for the comfort of your partner, it will be well bestowed; it will stimulate to industry, promote good humour, and cement affection. Oak posts are very expensive; but I will tell you of something very cheap, that will answer just as well. you get some fresh cut, strait willow poles, about as thick as your arm, cut off all the twigs, except about half a dozen just round the top, which may be left five or six inches in length, dig a hole at the corners of your garden, and set in the posts; put them as much as a foot in the ground, set them fast with large stones, and fill up the mould round them; and there you have good, strong, living, growing posts, that will serve you for many years-this I know by experience. The twigs at top will serve to fix the line by. It is better to have them high enough, and strong enough; the labour is no more, and the cost no great difference. If they are nine or ten feet above the ground, it is none too much; the linen will not be so likely to drag, nor yet to injure your currant and gooseberry bushes.

52. While you are about it, you might as well stick in & couple more posts, in any pleasant part of your garden, which, with a few ash poles to bend over, and a woodbine, or even a few nasturtiums to train around them, will make a pretty arbour for you and your wife to take a cup of tea in summer time-many a happy hour have I passed under such a one. You will perhaps be too busy to put a seat there just now; a couple of chairs will do; and you can contrive the other at your leisure. I shall say no more about the garden at present: but will give you a calendar suited to a cottager's garden, when you are settled, and have time to attend to it.

53. Now we are come in doors—and here, let that be done first which will take longest to dry; any thing of plastering that may be required. It would be sad for either of you to be laid up with the rheumatism, through coming into a damp house. Let all work, too, that makes a dirt, (such as grate setting, altering a window or door, &c.) be done before any of the cleaner work, painting, or white washing. It is very vexatious to have things dirtied almost before they are cleaned; and a great pity when this is the case for want of planning and timing things properly.

54. A word on the subject of grates. If there are none already fixed, as may be the case if it is a new-built cottage, pray see that you choose a good sort of grate, and have it well fixed. If there are grates of the old fashioned sort, set far back, and the chimney left wide, I think a little money will be well bestowed in exchanging them. I do not object to