CHAP. XX.

INCREASED PRICES.

93

“ are desirous of a cliaunge, being in hope to come“ thereby to somewhat, and well assured that, hovve“ so ever it befall with them, it can be no harder“ with them than it was before: moreover, all things“ are so deere that by there day wages they are not" able to lyve. Those sheepe is the cause of all“ these mischieves, for they have driven husbandry“ out of the country, by the which was increased“ before all kind of victailes, and now altogether“ sheepe, sheepe, sheepe. It was farre better when“ there were not only sheepe ynough, but oxen, kine,“ swyne, pig, goose, and capon, egges, butter, and“ cheese,yea and bread-corne and malt-corne ynough“ besides, reared altogether upon the same lande.”

The manufacturer of hats also, in his turn, takesup the same lamentations. He agrees with thefarmer, and confirms it by his experience ; “ For,”says he, “ I am faine to give my journeimen two“ pence in a day more than I was wont to doe, and“ yet they say they cannot sufficiently live thereon.

‘ And I know for truth that the best husbande of‘ them can save but little at the yeare’s ende. And‘ by reason of such dearth as yee speake of, we thatare artificers are able to keepe few or no prentizes,“ like as we were wont to doe, and therefore cities“ which were heretofore well inhabyted and wealthy“ (as yee knowe every one ofyou) are now, for lacke“ °f occupiers, fallen togreat poverty and desolation.“ It was never merry with poor craftsmen since gen-‘ tlemen became grasiers, for they cannot now a