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Show YE OLDYNE TYMES. The Days. When Englishmen Sold Their Wires at Pnolic Auction. In Mr. Ashton's book on the progress of women are given the following "clippings "clip-pings from English newspapers, showing the status of the sex in the olden time : Morning Herald, March 11, 1802 On the 11th of last month a person sold, at the market cross, in Chapel en la Frith, a wife, a child, and as much furniture as would set up a beggar, for 11 shillings. Morning Herald, April 16, 1802 A butcher sold his wife bv auction at the last market day at Hereford. The lot brought 1.4s. and a bowl of punch. . . Annual Register, February 14, 1806 A man named John Gartsthorpe exposed his wife for sale in the market at Hull, about 1 o'clock, but, owing to the crowd which such an extraordinary occurrence had brought together, he was obliged to defer the sale and take her away about 4 o'clock. However, he again brought her out, and she was sold for twenty guineas and delivered with a halter to a person named Houseman, who had lodged with them for four or five years. Morning Post, October 10, 1807 One of,those disgraceful scenes which have of late become too common took place Friday Fri-day se'nnight at Knaresborough. Owin to some jealousy, or other family difference, differ-ence, a man brought his wife, equipped m the usual style, and sold her at the market cross for 6d, and a quid of tobacco. In the Doncasler Gazette of March 25 1803, a sale is thus described : "A fellow sold his wife, as a cow, in Sheffield market-place a few days ago. The lady was put into the hands of a butcher, who held Py oJialter fastened around her waist. What do you ask for your cow?' ?!?Ka yst?ndeA 'A goinea,' replied the husband. 'Done,', cried the other, and immediately led away his bargain We understand that the purchaser and his cow' live very happily together " |