This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1865 edition. Excerpt: ...of the poor, the Legislature undertook, with more success, to keep down wages. By the statute (5 Eliz. 0.4), justices of the peace were empowered to fix the wages of agricultural laborers, and to compel all manner of workmen to serve in harvest time. Laborers were required to work from 5 A. M., until 7 or 8 P. an, but were allowed two hours and a half for meals. Of course, workmen had no pow er to escape from the operation of these laws.. To guard against the little chance which they might have of improving their condition, they were not allowed to travel out of their county, without a. certificate from a clergyman and churchwarden, which none but the servile and obsequious could get. These are but specimens of a multitude of laws which undertook the regulation of trade. The only point in which they have permanently succeeded has been in keeping down the agricultural laborers of England, and in perpetuating great inequalities between the wages paid in different counties. For a long time they depressed the manufactures of the country, while intended to encourage them, but this evil has been done away. It is to be 1 'W'a.tt.at Brantford in the county of Brant that "thekiefe.tid21.lits should deliver so many barrels-'of fishin good condition to Watt at the rail'way-station at Goderich in the county of 'Huron, and the fish were so delivered, but in an unsound mud worthless condition. Watt ibrought his action in the county of Brant for damages for breach of the contract. The defendants "resided and carried on business in Goderich, the county of Huron. It was held by the-Court that the whole cause of action did /not arise at Brantford, and that therefore the County Judge of Brant had not jurisdiction ."The words...