ill-advised to refuse to sign a petition in favor of the corn laws, and so became by one rash act a "marked man," on whom "quality" never after smiled. For more than fifty years he toiled; and, when at last he was no longer able to drag his weary limbs to the fields, he took to bed, and sorrowfully turned his face to the wall. The savings of a lifetime of painful industry and frugality amounted to four shillings and sixpence! The dénoûment I cannot better describe than in the words of the Rev. Mr. Attenborough, whose faithful sketch of Mr. Arch I cordially recommend to those who may wish further information regarding the origin of the National Agricultural Laborers' Union, and the early career of its founder:—
"The worn, crumbling Arch, just tumbling down, was to be propped up with ' good support,' and there was four shillings and sixpence towards providing it. 'Give him some beef-tea, get him a drop of good wine if you can, and take this prescription to the chemist's.' The poor patient's friends sat wondering, and weighing his four and sixpence against the doctor's counsel: it was nowhere. The old man wept, knowing he was, after all his work, to become a burden to those he loved, and who, as he knew, had barely enough for themselves. 'I be afeared, Joe, the parish will give thee nothin' for me, be'n as yer a Dissenter.' Joe was not anxious they should: but Joe' s wife had been in the habit of earning a couple of shillings a week at charing; and, now that the old man wanted nursing, she had to give this up, and stop at home. To the guardians Arch made a reasonable offer, 'Gentlemen, I don't want 30U to support my aged father; but if you will give my wife one shilling and sixpence towards nursing
