dren are ragged and
starving. True Christian good-nature never indulges one at the cost
of many, but is kind to all. The squire who was a friend to order,
took up the matter. He consulted Mr. Simpson. "The Lion," said he,
"is necessary. It stands by the roadside; travelers must have a
resting-place. As to the Checkers and the Bell, they do no good, but
much harm." Mr. Simpson had before made many attempts to get the
Checkers put down, but, unluckily, it was Sir John's own house, and
kept by his late butler. Not that Sir John valued the rent, but he
had a false kindness, which made him support the cause of an old
servant, though he knew he was a bad man, and kept a disorderly
house. The squire, however, now took away the license from the Bell.
And a fray happening soon after at the Checkers (which was near the
church) in time of divine service, Sir John was obliged to suffer
the house to be put down as a nuisance. You would not believe how
many poor families were able to brew a little cask, when the
temptation of those ale-houses was taken out of their way. Mrs.
Jones, in her evening walks, had the pleasure to see many an honest
man drinking his wholesome cup of beer by his own fire-side, his
rosy children playing about his knees, his clean cheerful wife
singing her youngest baby to sleep, rocking the cradle with her
foot, while with her hands she was making a dumpling for her kind
husband's supper. Some few, I am sorry to say, though I don't chose
to name names, still preferred getting drunk once a week at the
Lion, and drinking water at other times. Thus Mrs. Jones, by a
little exertion and perseverance, added to the temporal comforts of
a whole parish, and diminished its immorality and extravagance in
the same proportion.

The good women being now supplied with yeast from each other's
brewings, would have baked, but two difficulties still remained.
Many of them had no ovens; for since the new bad management had
crept in, many cottages have been built without this convenience.
Fuel also was scarce at Weston. Mrs. Jones advised the building a
large parish oven. Sir John subscribed to be rid of her importunity,
and the squire, because he thought every improvement would reduce
the poor's rate. It was soon accomplished; and to this oven, at a
certain hour, three times a week, the elder children carried their
loaves which their mothers had made at home, and paid a half-penny,
or a penny, according to their size, for the b