" THE- - PITMAN'S PAY" [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—In the interesting article on " Geordie Pitman " in your issue of February 20th I was very glad to see a reference to The Pitman's Pay. I wonder if this book is obtainable now-? I should like to have a copy again, but I have not seen or heard anything of the volume for many yeari. If I remember aright- in one of the poems in this book the author takes Occasion to contrast the old days with those obtaining at the time he wrote—not to the advantage of the latter.
The piece is, I think, a description of the feasting which used to take place at a christening, and some of the lines ran somewhat as follows :—
Folks was not axed for afternoons, To be blawn out wi blashy tea, For nowt but solids then would please Substantiate that would bear some coffin', A veal and ham, a round and peas, Some turmuts and a leg of mutton.
This was the sort of " belly timmer," To make the pitman strong and tough, But now they run them up far slimmer On tea and other washy stuff.
May we take it that the more modern method has anything to do with the present troubles in the Coal Trade ?—I fun, Sir, Helm Cottage, Grasmere.
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