Caroline's last
Posted by Julieanne on April 25, 1998 at 02:05:07:
In response to A Correction, written by Caroline on April 24, 1998 at 22:00:43
] The only public system of relief came from the Church, really - Miss Bates talks of John Ostler going to Mr Elton for relief 'from the parish' when his father became ill,
] The parish, in this case, is the administrative area, not the church.The "parish relief" was a local tax, called the Parish Rate, a collection of money from all households designed to financially support the workless and incpacitated of the village.This levy is often referred to as the "Speenhamland System" after the parish of Speen, Buckinghamshire , where it was first tried out.Whem Mr Knighly referes to writing a few lines "of Parish business" to Mr Weston, he is probably referring to this system, which was administered jointly by the local Magistrate, local gentlemen,and possibly , the vicar.
] and Mrs Norris talks of how much was wasted at the parsonage by 'odd comers and goers' during her husband's life.
] I take this to mean the hospitality required of a vicar, not the poor relief.
] JA in her letters to Cassandra discusses clothes they are making for distribution to poor families several times - this was an expected duty and occupation of female members of the gentry. Mrs Norris scolds Fanny for not helping more with with the sewing from the poor basket, also.
]
] I wouldn't disagree with this one, except to say thaty again, it's nothing to do with the church, (not that you intended that it should be considered this way, I don't think:-)
] ]
]
]
]
Many thanks for the correction. Have you read James woodforde's diaries?
- Are they not fun? Caroline 12:19:51 4/26/98
(0)
Posting followups to old messages is disabled; instead go to the main index and post a new message which mentions this one.
