Masters and workmen : a tale for the times

Preface

. Considerable intercourse with the Working Classes, and strong interest in them, have induced the publication of this smaU volume, which may be considered a commentary on the text " Godliness is profitable imto aU things, having promise of the hfe that now is, and of that which is to come." There are many happy homes, such as that here depicted, where temporal weU-being is founded upon obedience to the laws of God ; and there arc, alas! degradation and misery far deeper than any here portrayed, which are occasioned by the breach of those laws. The domestic and national prosperity of Britain are depend ant upon conformity to the rules of the Bible. Bob England of her faith and of her Sabbaths, and her greatness is gone. Let her working man be deprived of these, and the Italian or Span ish peasant is less degraded than he will speedily become ; for, not possessing the physical elasticity of the inhabitant of those countries, he wiU sink into a more sluggish, sottish state of animal existence ; and living where the " race for riches" is faster, and the struggle for wealth more strenuous, his own tod and oppression will be infinitely more. If the upper classes can afford to lose the Sabbath, assuredly VI

PREFACE.

. those beneath them cannot. It is a good omen for their welfare that they are rising in its defence. Some of the readers of this simple tale wiU probably discover the locality of " Norchester," and recognise scenes depicted there. They wUl not, however, find in it the originals of the characters described. The aged Mr. Newton, in whose happy home the early " New Year's days" of the authoress were spent, has been long gathered to his fathers, and the other portraits have, in whole or in part, been drawn from other sources. In this, as in former publications, where real characters are drawn, they are given with fictitious names. There are two exceptions, two ancient worthies, who, as an island friend would say, are here immortalized as long as the tale may last, " Betty the beadle," and " old John the groom."

It may be considered an objection that the interests of time are here noticed rather than those of eternity. The reason is certainly not that the authoress considers them the chief objects of sohcitude, but simply that the design of the book is to point out the practical bearing of Christianity upon society, the society of this lower world. This is in itself important, though immea surably less so than its bearing upon eternity. May the readers of this httle work not rest in " the life that now is," but may they aspire in preparation, and hope, and affection, to " that which is to come!" CONTENTS. Chap. F_.Pe I. New- Year's Day ... ... ... ... ... 9 II. A "Workman's Wedding ... ... ... ... ... 16 III. Neighbours ... ... ... ... ... ... 25 IV. Scepticism ... ... ... ... ... ... 33 V. Sunshine ... ... ... ... ... ... 50 VI.

Chapter I. New-year's Day

" Onward its course the present keeps; Onward the constant current sweeps. Longfellow. In an ancient commercial town in the north of England, which we shall call Norchester, the New Year was ushered in by a merry peal of beUs from old St. James's church, and a simultaneous burst of street music, and street cheers, awakening all the echoes from their slumbers, and making the silent streets suddenly vocal with multitudinous sounds. "Very sweetly the night beUs sweUed and died away upon the ear, while with wild merriment the chorus of rude voices and varied instruments arose, now in strange harmony, now in stranger discord, hke music in a storm. Neither moon nor stars appeared overhead ; but the darkness was made risible by rows of glimmering lamps. Soon the crowd stopped before the railings that enclosed the church, the brighter lamplight there flashing on grotesque faces, and uncouth habiliments ; and after serenading the gray and crumbling walls, it marched through the massive gateway that frowned across the entrance to the town ; NEW-YEAKS DAY. again it proceeded along the street bounded by the decaying fortifications; and after circling the town, the musicians retired to a tavern to drink the health of the New Year.

Then the groups of young men and boys separated, some to public houses for revelry and excess, some to the dwell ings of friends and sweethearts for first-footing, and a few, alas ! it was very few, to their own homes for quietness and rest. There were some who had met in hallowed places, or friendly firesides, for devotion. And the gay parties, and sober home circles, that had " sat the Old Year out, and the New Year in," gradually melted away, and sleep spread his wings over orderly habitations. Scarcely had the morning light rendered distinctly visible the curling smoke that arose from the relighted fires, when busy feet were again astir for early call3. In a suburban street, a number of respectable looking workmen entered a wide gateway, one of the folding doors of which was thrown open.

They passed into a paved court, round the sides of which large pear trees were trained, and in which stood a couple of tall poplars like gigantic sentinels. The leafless branches this morning were coated with pure hoar frost, and the frost sprinkled the yard as with pearls. This was the back way to their master's house. He was an extensive builder and house proprietor, and they were the foremen of the different departments, the young apprentices, and the men employed about the family premises. To old John the groom it appertained every morning to light the back kitchen fire ; on Christmas eve to lay on the yule log; and on New-Year's morning to send the flame roaring up the chimney, — this morning it did so magnificently. Then there was another flaming fire in the servants' hall, making every polished thing therein shine with double brightness, especially the old dark oaken table, upon which was set out bread, and cheese, and beer, and spice loaf.

There was a huge kettle of coffee on the hot plate ; and as each man came in he was served with a well sweetened cup, directed to the viands on the table, and presented with " the master's " New-Year's gift. Merry greetings and merry jokes went round; and every man and boy was sober. " I keep no drunken men," was the inflexible decision of " the master," and well he was rewarded for that decision ; a more respectable body of workmen, a greater number of old, faithful attached servants, you could not find in all merry England. But by the light of the gas we shall ascend the wide old fashioned staircase, with its great dark pictures on each landing place, and visit the room of " the old master." There is a bright fire there too, for everything was cheer ful in the house on New-Year's Day; in fact, it was the old gentleman's gala day.

There he sat upright in bed, habited in an ancient dressing gown, and flaxen wig — the latter rather reducing the height of his forehead, though you could still perceive its ample breadth — his inteUigent eye, which you might fancy once to have been piercing, was of the indefinable shade, between blue and hazel, and was lighted up by a merry smile, which played also about the corners of a very firm well-shaped mouth. The old gentleman was not ill, but being now more than eighty years of age, he breakfasted in bed, and received his early visitors there. This morning he had a bag well filled with bright golden guineas under his piUow. His family was not numerous; but as they entered one by one to kiss him, and wish him " a good New- Year, they received a hearty response, and a golden coin. Two or three laughing grandchildren rattled in, and took the offered treasure with jumping and clapping of hands.

" I'll see you all at dinner," he said. The New-Year's dinner was always taken under his especial protection; relatives near and distant gathered to it. " Please accept my New- Year's gift, grandpapa, a book in great big letters," said Richard. " And this bag to put it in, my own work," added Charlotte. Grandpapa gently took the gifts. He looked first at that of the little girl, and taking her small hand between both of his, said, " nicely made, my woman, I like a little girl to be clever at her needle, and to do useful things with it. It is a very pretty bag for old grandfather's book." He then opened the book itself. " How now, my wee man !" he exclaimed, " I can see this without my spectacles, I do believe. Great O, little o, bouncing B ; fine big letters truly." " They are all nice texts, gran'pa," said Richard.

The old man laid his hand upon the head of the boy: " All from the book that is my best comfort now, my boy. Read that book, and love it well when you are young, and it will make you happy when you are old and feeble like me, if you hve so long." ' " James Collins has folded up your New- Year's gist for hick, father," said Sir. George. " He is going to be married, and wants the room left vacant by that scamp Dobson." " James is a decent lad, I wish him joy, and hope he has chosen a good wife," replied the old gentleman. " Why, he ought to know her pretty well at any rate," observed his son, " for he teUs me they have been engaged four years." " Clearly he is not an Irishman," said Mr. Newton laughing. " I think I must change my gift into a golden one, as a reward for patience." " I think not, father ; a nice little bit of furniture, or something that he can show as his master's present wiU be better."

" Yes; you are right; when is the marriage to be, — and who is the maiden?" " A housemaid of Mr. Vicars'. They have been saving all this time for their furniture ; and are to begin in February, with every article paid for." " Aye; he shall have the house and welcome, and some thing to put in it too; for by this token, they'U be a prudent, honest, well-doing couple," said the old gentleman merrily and emphatically. " Suppose you give them a family Bible," said Mr. George. " ExceUent. Give them a hint not to buy one ; and have it ready for the wedding-day." " They are going to become teetotallers," said Mr. George. " Pshaw! that's only for reclaiming drunkards. Cannot they keep sober as I have done aU my life without that?" " I would not say a word against it, sir. It is not easy in those days to keep a sober wedding.

Beginning as tee totallers they will neither get tipsy themselves nor make others so by way of rejoicing." " WeU, it is often a vile thing a workman's wedding." " The beginning of ruin to some of the party." From this conversation may be gathered the interest felt by Mr. Newton and his son in the welfare of their men. They were strict disciplinarians, but much beloved ; and from the integrity and regularity with which their business was conducted, they were universally respected. " We can depend upon Newton," was a frequent remark of those who had business to transact in his line ; " the master won't be trifled with, so we may as well obey; he is over good a master to lose," was the check to any idea of insubordination on the part of the men. Mr. George Newton, now sole manager of the business, was, at the time, we are writing of, about forty years of age, of the middle size, with brown hair, dark grey eyes, and Roman nose ; and with an air of quiet decision which inspired the feehng that he was — as the men declared — " not to be trifled with."

But his decision was so tem pered with justice, or rather I might say so based upon justice, that it was seldom complained of. He was decided upon what he felt, after due consideration, lo be right. He balanced duly the interests ofhis workmen and of himself, with a strict regard to integrity in dealing with his em ployers. The different departments of his work were under the superintendence of intelligent foremen, some of whom had been with his father from an early age; but he personally looked weU to the management of aU, so that no abuses could escape his own eye. It had always been the custom in the establishment to pay the men at four o'clock on the Saturday afternoon; the work of the week was over before that time. When the Saturday half-holiday was broached, the Messrs. Newton entered warmly into the design.

Mr. Newton interested himself personally in the welfare of his workmen, warmly encouraging them in depositing their spare money in savings' banks, in frequenting the mechanics' library, and in procuring good education for their children. He would occasionaUy recommend to them a good book or periodical; and above all he took care to repress drunkenness. A man who had " a drinking bout" was severely reprimanded for the first offence; but if he was a second time off work for the same cause, he was dismissed. This was known to be an inexorable rule ; and it was attended with the happiest results. Miss Newton was about the age of thirty-five, tall and rather slender, fair, with deep blue eyes, and a most bene volent countenance, which though faded, stiU bore the traces of beauty. Her manner was gentle, though partak ing somewhat of her brother's firmness.

It was said that she had once loved, and lost the object of her affection; and it was certain that no suitor for her hand during many years had met with the smallest encouragement. She was devoted to her aged father, and to works of Christian benevolence; especiaUy she was much beloved in the families of her brother's workmen, the members of which looked up to her for counsel and comfort as to a superior being. Her influence tended much to promote that constant good feeling between master and men which is so desirable, but so httle experienced in those days of extortion on the one hand and stubborn resistance on the other. The workmen knew that they were cared for by their master and his famUy as rational and immortal beings.

Chapter II

a workman's weddino. " Pilgrims of life, henceforward to travel together; in this tho beginning of your journey, neglect not the favour of heaven: "Let the day of hopes fulfilled be blest by many prayers; and at eventide kneel ye together." Maktin Topper. "A wedding, — a wedding, — hurrah ! A wedding, — hurrah ! hurrah ! " were the cries of a set of urchins, while at ten o'clock on the twentieth of February the old verger opened the ponderous gates of St. James's churchyard ; and " Betty the beadle," a weU-known character, busied herself about the vestry ; and three decent couples, nicely attired, passed up the steps, and along the flags, and through the old church porch. " A wedding, — a wedding — hurrah ! " The bridegroom threw among them a handful of halfpence, and eager was the scramble to pick up the coins ; two or three boys were kicked over into the mud, the quickest and strongest pocketed the most, and the rest grumbled or whimpered, or slyly pulled the coats of the victors.

The bride, a pretty dark-eyed maiden of middle height, had on a neat straw-bonnet trimmed with white ribbon, and a dress of drab-coloured merino. The bridegroom, rather tall and inteUigent-looking, was drest in a dark blue coat, buff waistcoat, and buff gloves. These were to be their Sunday dresses for a long while to come. Two of Alie's fellow-servants, and two of James's brother workmen, were the attendant couples. Mary the bridesmaid had flowers and flounces; but Alie had resisted aUher argnments in behalf of a bride having a white veil and oranee blossoms. " It is true I can get them cheap," she said, " but they are not becoming in my station. A workman's wife should not make-believe to be a lady." So Alie was the very essence of neatness and propriety — far prettier than a make-believe lady — when she stood, not without a little trembling, before the rails ofthe communion table ; and the minister, in his white surplice, proceeded with the marriage ceremony.

I wonder how it is that aU the giddy folks in the world choose the subject of marriage as the theme of joking, and fun, and nonsense. It is really not a funny thing at all, but the beginning of either a great deal of happiness or a great deal of misery, to end only with death. One would suppose it enough to make people serious, to be assured that the little knot so quickly tied before that railing can be loosed only by the clammy fingers of the King of Ter rors, be it for good or for evil, for weal or for woe. And yet, forsooth, it is the chosen theme of the jokes of every hairbrain and rattleskull ; and many people get it tied as thoughtlessly as if a mouse's nibble could cut it to-morrow. These laughings and jokings, and this rash inconsidera tion, are the reason why so many married people would give any money to be unmarried again, having repented at leisure of what they did in haste.* James and Alie had considered the matter, and consulted their Bibles about it, and waited for the proper time ; so any one might prophesy that they would be a happy couple. * Start not, gentle reader.

I have a still greater horror of monasteries and nun neries than even of foolish marriages. L Having a little money laid by, James had hired a jaunt ing car for the day; it cost less than many bridegrooms spend in drink : and the party was to have a wedding excursion, if the weather should permit. And the weather did permit ; you could not see a finer February day. The sky was pale blue, the sun shone brightly, the sparrows that haunted the church roof twittered, the rooks that peopled the tall trees on the north side cawed, and looked busy and knowing ; there was a gladsome air over every thing that morning. True, the sunshine in the hearts of the party would have made even a cloudy day seem sunny; but it was really and truly in itself a beautiful day, and a drive into the country was sure to be a pleasant one.

The jaunting car was not brought to the church-door. They did not want a display of that kind. There was a quiet lane from the church into the country road ; and so, after names had been written and register made, and all the formalities gone through, the couples passed out of the church-yard, round the corner, and into the lane, at the top of which the car was waiting. It held exactly six, with a boy to drive, and merrily they sprang in. A large basket was in the car full of substantial sandwiches, and buns, and wedding-cake, for their mid-day repast. They were to go to the new home to tea. " I declare I wish that somebody would get married every week and invite me, it is so pleasant to go into the country," said Maiy, the bridesmaid, looking round on the grassy and furzy moor they had entered.

" The air has a different smeU here altogether." " Get married yourself to a farmer, and you'U have it every day," said the groomsman slyly. " I can't make butler, and I'm frightened of a cow," replied the girl, laughing. " 'Tis a joy to a farmer's girl to get into town," said the bridegroom, " and a joy to townsfolk to get into the country." " Anything for change, as the prince said when he went to break stones," William Gibson observed. " We'U join you on a trip to the seaside on Sunday ; what say you, James ? " " Thank you," replied James. " If you will take a fine Saturday afternoon in summer, I'll join you with aU my heart ; but no Sunday trips for me." " Oh ! man, it is the only day the poor can get." "How so?" " Can't afford to be off work for play." " I have better work on Sundays, and I can't afford to be off" that for play," said James.

" Tut, man, there's no harm in going to the seaside on Sunday." " I think there is ; but even if not, I can't afford the time," persisted James. " What do you mean, my good feUow?" " Why, as you say, a working man has little time to him self. Now, I am going a great journey, I don't know how soon, and want to get ready for it." " You are surely not going to Australia — good wages, a new wife, the best master in the town." " I am not going to Australia," said the bridegroom, smiling. " Then what journey ? " " One you must go too ; to a place farther off." " Then that must be out of the world." " Just so." "You melancholy fellow, to talk of such a thing on your wedding-day ! " " Alie," cried Mary, " mind you give him a dressing for this ; he'll make you melancholy." " I am not afraid," said Alie.

"There's nothing melancholy in being ready for a journey ; one might be melancholy to think of being un ready, when he is liable to be called any minute," said James. " Oh, if you are going to spend your Sundays in such gloom, my respectsto you," cried William Gibson, laughing. " I won't come and take my Sunday tea with you." " I have no liking for gloom," replied James ; " I am as cheerful a feUow as any of you, I think." " So you are, so you are," they all exclaimed ; " but on a Sunday ! " " Why, it is my only day for minding my soul, and getting real wisdom, and securing a happiness that nothing can mar." " But you can go to church once, and take the rest of the day for pleasure." " I suspect you and I do not agree in what pleasure is," said James. " Pleasure ! why everybody knows the meaning of that."

" I find great pleasure in studying the word of God, and hearing of the love of Christ, and thinking about heaven," was the reply. " Look up at that sky," said the groomsman. " Is'nt there pleasure in it and the sunshine, and the green grass, and the country smells ; and is'nt there pleasure in the sea, and the rocks, when you can get down for sixpence?" " Very great pleasure," replied James ; " so great that I mean to take a half-holiday to see them sometimes." " But when you can get on a Sunday." " I have greater pleasures on that day which I don't wish to lose, and I don't wish to offend my Master." " The master does not ask about those things ; he has no right over Sundays." " The Great Master has commanded us to keep holy the Sabbath-day. I love him ; I should be sorry to offend him."

" You are putting things in a bit of a new light," said the groomsman. " I thought it was only gloom, and fear, and such things that kept the like of you from taking a jaunt on Sunday. I never thought of more enjoyment in religion." " AYell, we all like to be happy in our own ways," said William. James thought he had said enough. He did not want to preach to his wedding party. But he was not ashamed of his Master ; he liked an opportunity of saying a word for Him and his laws. But he knew that it was unwise to weary people about religion, and so he began to talk about something else. The fine day and the pleasant air put all into excellent spirits ; they drove to a pretty village a few miles off, and before arriving at it, the basket was opened, and the sandwiches attacked. Every one pronounced them excellent.

"Hollo, boy, stop!" cried the groomsman; "look at that clear water at the roadside. Where can we get a cup for a drink ?" A workman s wedding-. "There's a mug in the basket," said Alie. " But," said the bridegroom, " here's teetotaller's fare — - good ginger beer." " Better than strong liquors ; hut we must not pass this fine water," said the other, getting out of the car, and going to a little spout, from which the crystal stream flowed, sparkling in the sunshine, into a stone trough. " Oh, James, if we had water like this in the town, there would never be sickness there." Then lifting the mug to his head, he said, " Here's to the health of the bride and the bridegroom, and may they never want a cup of good cold water, nor anything else that is excellent!" In one long draught he drank off the pure beverage, while the party in the car clapped their hands.

He then rinsed the mug, and supplied it afresh, until all were satisfied, and tho ginger beer was reserved for the end of the feast. Ryland was as picturesque as an inland village in a flat country could be. I call it fiat, for there were no moun tains about it ; but the roads were certainly not flat ; there were hiUs and hollows so many that the whole party got out of the car and walked, to lighten the burden of the horse. On descending the hill from which they caught the first view of the village, they looked down upon an antique bridge over a stream, which Alie, who had never seen a mountain torrent, thought must be as wild and rocky as any in Switzerland or Scotland. A noble wood clothed its opposite bank, and the leafless trees disclosed a ruined abbey mantled with ivy. Many a goodly acre of the rich fields they had passed once belonged to the monks of that abbey ; but these were now possessed by the owner of a handsome mansion, whose roof and chimneys alone were a workman's M'EDDING. 23 seen further off.

At the end of the old bridge, looking down upon the stream, stood the inn, a favourite resort of anglers. There they put up their horse, and then sallied forth to wander among the woods, to see the abbey, and to catch what glimpses they could of the grounds of the hall. They then returned to Norchester, which they reached about six o'clock, and found tea prepared by Mrs. Vicars' cook, who had been commissioned by her mistress to set upon the table various dainties for the wedding meal of her faithful servant. They passed a merry evening ; and as there were no spirits, there was no unseemly rioting, aU was happiness. The company dispersed at ten o'clock. On the head of the mahogany drawers, which served as a side-table, a large family Bible had attracted the attention of everybody. It was the gift of " the master," and a suit able inscription attested the fact.

James reverently placed it upon the table, " Alie," he said, " our house shall be hallowed by family worship. We'll begin with it. That is the happiest house where God dwells." " It cannot be happy without His presence," replied Alie, a tear, not of sorrow, starting into her eye. I must give my readers a peep at the humble home of the young couple. Entering by a narrow passage from one of the principal thoroughfares of the town, you come into a neat square called Greencourt. In the centre was a grass plot, with three old trees in it. Round the plot was a tolerably wide pavement, and round that again, on three sides, neat brick houses of two stories, some of them inha bited by a single family, and graced with a green door and A WORKMAN'S WEDDING. 24 knocker ; some of them let in rooms to respectable work people.

A comfortable kitchen and small bedroom, forming half of the ground-floor of one of these, was the house of James and Alie. There was a neat grate with small oven, a good fire, and a whitewashed hearth ; bright sender and fire-irons ; and at a little distance from the fire a polished birch-wood table. On the window-seat were two gera niums, a china rose, and a myrtle; and in front ofthe window a white deal table, for baking and ironing, &c. Against the wall, opposite the window, stood a chest of mahogany drawers, with a bit of oil-cloth on the top, a row of books along the back, in the centre the large Family Bible, its handsome binding covered with black leather ; and on each side of the Bible a curiously fashioned glass, with a tall stem and circular bowl, wedding presents from a glasshouse man.