Chapter IV

The Bondage System of the North of England -- Manner in which it
strikes a Stranger from the South -- Bands of Women working in the
Fields -- Mode of Maintaining the Hinds -- Description of their
Cottages -- Cottage of the Herd of Middleton -- Cobbett’s Surprise
on discovering the Bondage System -- his View of its Effects on
the Population and Productiveness of the Country -- Curious Coach
Scene near Morpeth -- Cobbett’s Address to the Chopsticks of the
South on the State of the Bondage District -- Bondage Farms and
Farm-yards -- Lodgings of the Hinds -- their Allowance of Corn and
Pease -- the Schoolmaster paid in Meal -- Precarious Nature of the
Tenure of their Houses -- Enormous Rent of the Land -- the
Farm-yards, Corn Factories -- Scantiness of the Population
compared with the Agricultural Districts of the South -- Hardships
of the System on the Hinds -- a Certificate required from the last
Master -- the same Custom in the Collieries of the Midland
Counties -- Statements of Mr. and Mrs. Grey, Mr. Dodds, etc. --
Concluding Remarks 119

CHAPTER V.

The Terrors of a Solitary House -- Sense of Insecurity which a
Townsman feels in a Solitary House at Night -- Wide Difference in
our Feeling of such a Place by Day and by Night -- Nervous Fancies
excited by them on Stormy Nights -- Decrease of Burglaries and
Highway Robberies through Modern Improvements -- Noble Defence of
his House by Colonel Purcell -- Attack of the House of a Welsh
Gentleman, Mr. Powell, and his Murder -- Fact related by a
Minister of the Society of Friends -- Sturdy Rogues -- Fright of
an Old Gentleman with one -- Cowardice inspired by living in a
Solitary House -- Superstitions generated by such Places --
Concluding Remarks 139

CHAPTER VI.

Midsummer in the Fields -- the Spiritual Effect of Green Fields at
Midsummer -- True Wisdom of Izaak Walton -- Delicious Haunts of
the Angler at this Season -- Profound Repose of Trees -- Rich
Mosaic of Fields -- Sound of Birds at this Season -- Mowers at
work -- Delights of Brooksides, with their Plants and Insects --
Curious Metamorphosis of Midges -- Beauty of Dragon-flies --
Summer Birds -- Feelings connected with this fleeting Season 159

PART III.

PICTURESQUE AND MORAL FEATURES OF THE COUNTRY.