EIGHTEENTH CENTURY MIDDLE CLASSES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7264, 21 October 1910, Page 2

EIGHTEENTH CENTURY MIDDLE CLASSES

Two hundred years ago, says a writer in the "Nineteenth Century," one Francis Taylor, commenced a n"«w account book, in which, ho entered his household expenses in .minut/e detail. He was ■ a widower with five children. The school-] ing of two sons for half a year cost JJ9, bu* one cf them, who afterwards took bis M.A. at Oxford, regrettably took to living in public-bouses. There are many entries relating Co charges for smallpox, to which the children were victims. Lodgings in London 1 wore remarkably ©heap, four shillings a week being paid. The family were great eaters, having consumed 14001 b of beei and mutton in one year. A sick fat sheep was sold to tJio poor for four and six, and a cow that fell into tho moat and was drowned was sold to them for eleven and twopence. No doubt they were glad to got it at the price. Wine was cheap, but a quarter of a. 1 pound of tea was five shillings. Soao and candles were made at home. Mutton and beef were about twopence a pound, pigeons were twenty pence a dozen, and chickens a shilling a pair. The servants;, got £2 5s a. year in wages, and a much trusted iran servant .£4, ss. The Joral apothecary was paid five shillings for bleeding Mr Taylor on account of a severe cold.