Wages and Work.—­In 1272 the wages of a labouring man was just 1-1/2 d. per day.  In Henry VIII.’s reign labourers’ wages averaged 4d. per day; skilled workmen 5-1/2d. per day.  The penny at that time was equal to a shilling of the present day, and would, relatively, purchase as much.  In 1682, the Justices of the Peace assembled in Quarter Sessions at Warwick fixed the rates of wages to be paid to the several classes of artificers, labourers, and others, as enjoined by a statue of Elizabeth.  From their order then made, we find that a master carpenter, his servants, and journeymen, were to receive 1s each per day; a master bricklayer, a mason, a cartwright, a thatcher, a tyler, a mower, and a reaper also 1s. per day, other workmen and labourers averaging from 4d. to 8d. per day, but none of them to receive more than half these rates if their meat and drink was found them.  The hours of work to be from five in the morning till half-past seven at night.  Any person refusing to work upon these terms was to be imprisoned, and anyone paying more to forfeit L5 in addition to ten days’ imprisonment, the unfortunate individual receiving such extra wages to suffer in like manner for twenty-one days.  In 1777, there was a row among the tailors, which led to what may be called the first local strike.  The unfortunate “knights of the thimble” only got 12s. to 14s. per week.

Warstone Lane takes its name from the Hoarstone, supposed to have been an ancient boundary mark, which formerly stood at the corner of the lane and Icknield Street, and which is now preserved within the gateway entrance to the Church of England cemetery.  Hutton says that in 1400 there was a castle, with a moat round it, in Warstone Lane.  The lane has also been called Deadman’s Lane, and considering the proximity of the cemetery that name might even now be applicable.

Warwick House, as it now stands was began in 1839 or 1840; formerly it was composted of two cottages, one with a bit of garden ground in front, which underwent the usual transformation scene of being first covered in then built upon.

Warwickshire, the county in which Birmingham is situated, has a total area of 566,458 acres, of which 283,946 acres are permanent pasture lands, and 210,944 acres under crops or arable land.  In 1882 the live stock in the country, as returned by the occupiers of land, included 29,508 horses, 5,503 being kept solely for breeding; 93,334 cattle; 218,355 sheep; and 41,832 pigs.

Warwick Castle is open to visitors every day, except Sunday; when the family are absent from home, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but if they are at home, from 9 to 10 a.m. only.

Warwick Vase.—­The bronze copy in Aston Hall was cast by Sir Richard Thomason.

Warwickshire Regiment.—­The 6th Foot recruited in this county in 1778 so successfully that it was called “The Warwickshire,” Birmingham supplying the largest proportion of the men, and raising by public subscription L2,000 towards their equipment.  Under Lord Cardwell’s army localisation plan of 1873, the regiment is now called the 1st Royal Warwickshire, and, with the Warwickshire Militia and Volunteers, forms the 28th Brigade.