"Their system of life was that of domestic economy in perfection.
Occupying large portions of his own domains; working his land by oxen;
fattening the aged, and rearing a constant supply of young ones; growing
his own oats, barley, and sometimes wheat; making his own malt, and
furnished often with kilns for the drying of corn at home, the master
had pleasing occupation in his farm, and his cottagers regular
employment under him. To these operations the high troughs, great
garners and chests, yet remaining, bear faithful witness. Within, the
mistress, her maid-servants, and daughters, were occupied in spinning
flax for the linen of the family, which was woven at home. Cloth, if not
always manufactured out of their own wool, was purchased by wholesale,
and made up into clothes at home also."[58]
This is a true picture of the simple habits of our ancestors, and will
apply, with little variation, to the scene before us.
Here might be seen the carved "armoury,"--the wardrobe, bright, clean,
and even magnificent. On the huge rafters hung their usual store of
dried hams, beef, mutton, and flitches of bacon. In the store-room,
great chests were filled to the brim with oatmeal and flour.
Pages:
876
877
878
879
880
881
882
883
884
885
886
887
888
889
890
891
892
893
894
895
896
897
898
899
900