governors, that, if they had a complaint to make, or a caufe to try, they could fcarcely expect juftice. It was alfo alledged, that they terrified the children out of their wits, by telling frightful ftories in the winter evenings. You might meet with many of the eftablished Servants who afferted, and even seemed to believe, that all who employed any other than themselves, were idiots or crack-brained, and deftitute of common fenfe.

On the other hand, not a few of the established Servants were altogether indifferent how many others were hired, and how little work was left to themfelves. They knew that their wages were well fecured to them, which was the main chance; and they found rather more time and liberty to follow the bent of their inclinations> Perhaps they would have been better fatisfied if the people had been content with what kind and quality of work they thought proper to do. But, as this was not to be expected, the hiring of others rendered all matters perfectly cafy, and their lives were one continued fcene of indolence or pleasure.

In the mean time, it was highly diverting to hear how they expreffed themselves upon this fubject, and with how much art and cunning they made a virtue of neceffity. They used to extol their own candour and benevolence. 'Gentle'men,' one of them would fay, 'you fee with what discretion I ufe you. I am always glad

6

to fee liberty prevail, and every man suffered to

do

6

do what feems proper to himself. I am well pleafed, that you fhould hire as many Servants as you incline. I afk no more, than that I < mày have a clean neat bed-chamber, in a con• venient part of the house, my wages well and regularly paid, and a small bit of ground in the garden to bring up a few delicious herbs ◄ and fruits for my own ufe. If these things are properly attended to, you shall find me a good " man to live with; I fhall never interfere with < your work in the least, or give you any manner ' of trouble, even by making remarks upon it.' In fuch a cafe, it would happen now and then, that one of the family, touched a little with the abfurdity of this phlegmatick fpeech, would anfwer, That very well he might make himself eafy, fince, all the while, he was well fed and clothed at their expence. This he would receive with filent contempt, and difplay the greateft fatisfaction in his own compofure of fpirit, and meeknefs of temper.

As for the remaining part of the nation, they reflected very little upon their condition, but took fuch Servants as were fent to them, and rubbed on as well as they could. Such quiet and paffive people were highly extolled by the Servants, who took all opportunities of declaring, that they were the only folid and rational perfons in the whole kingdom. Thefe praifes delighted them greatly; fo that they lived as poor and as merry as beggars, who have nothing to hope, and nothing to fear.

CON.

CONCLUSION.

HUS I have given the reader an acccount

of this extraordinary clafs of men; and I am certain, he must confefs, there is fomething in their characters and conduct, proper to excite a mixture of laughter and indignation. It is alfo probable, that he feels a confiderable degree of fympathy with the deluded and oppreffed people, and is anxious to know, whether there appeared any profpect of deliverance. This was a queftion I often afked at my informer, who affured me that, from what he had heard and feen, there was not the most distant prospect of reformation by the Servants themfelves. The honefter fort were always borne down, traduced and flandered; and thofe of an oppofite character had fo long kept the management of the corporation in their hands, that they reckoned themfelves fecure in their authority, and openly fet at defiance both the people in general, and their fellow Servants.

There remained juft a, glimpfe of hope from one quarter, viz. the gentlemen who had been chofen to the office of helpers. They had at first contributed as much as any to the introduction of wrong measures; but, not being under the temptation of intereft, they began to open their eyes at laft. For fome years they had been a confiderable restraint upon the violence of the Servants,

and

and had prevented them in feveral inftances from. degrading, stripping, and branding those who had incurred their displeasure, by doing business at unfeasonable hours. They had alfo contributed to the difgrace and difmiffion of fome drunken fots, and lafcivious wretches, whom several of the leading Servants had a strong inclination to spare. From these circumftances, fome flattered themfelves that a change might be brought about; and that though the Servants- would never think of any reformation themfelves, it would foon be 'forced upon them by a foreign hand.'

After all, it was but very uncertain whether any material change would foon take place; and therefore, while we can only fend that unhappy people our good wishes, we have reafon to rejoice in our own good fortune, that we are perfectly free from impofitions of the fame or any fimilar kind.

FLNIS