But the great majority of the men spend their money often before they earn it, and that in the most reckless way.

Large sums are spent in drink: this leads to idleness; and, owing to drinking and idling, the works are kept short of men until about Wednesday in each week, when the greater part of the most idly disposed have become sobered down.

Of course, when wages are low, the men work more regularly.

There is less drinking, and altogether the condition of the place is healthier in every respect both in a moral and physical sense." Another observer remarks, that the miners of Bilston are about six thousand in number, and they spend more than fifty thousand pounds annually in the purchase of ale and liquors.

Their improvidence may be studied with advantage in the Bilston Market.