"And so shall I," said Mr Mountchesney.
"And so shall I," whispered Lord Milford lingering a little
behind.
The great and distinguished party had disappeared; their
glittering barouche, their prancing horses, their gay grooms,
all had vanished; the sound of their wheels was no longer
heard. Time flew on; the bell announced that the labour of
the week had closed. There was a half holiday always on the
last day of the week at Mr Trafford's settlement; and every
man, woman, and child, were paid their wages in the great room
before they left the mill. Thus the expensive and evil habits
which result from wages being paid in public houses were
prevented. There was also in this system another great
advantage for the workpeople. They received their wages early
enough to repair to the neighbouring markets and make their
purchases for the morrow. This added greatly to their
comfort, and rendering it unnecessary for them to run in debt
to the shopkeepers, added really to their wealth. Mr Trafford
thought that next to the amount of wages, the most important
consideration was the method in which wages are paid; and
those of our readers who may have read or can recall the
sketches, neither coloured nor exagerated, which we have given
in the early part of this volume of the very different manner
in which the working classes may receive the remuneration for
their toil, will probably agree with the sensible and virtuous
master of Walter Gerard.
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