David Davies (1742–1819) was an English clergyman and social commentator, best remembered for this survey of the lives of rural agricultural labourers. Davies was ordained in 1782 and became the rector of Barkham parish, where he remained incumbent until his death. This volume, first published in 1795, contains Davies' discussion of the living conditions of agricultural labourers in England. Davies discusses in detail the causes of the poverty of labourers, linking the high prices of goods with poverty, and proposes measures to relieve the labourers, including linking their daily wage to the price of bread. Davies' observations also demonstrate the failings of the contemporary Poor Laws. Originally focusing on the annual expenditure of labourers in Davies' own parish, this volume was expanded to include accounts of expenditure from elsewhere in Britain. This meticulously researched volume provides valuable evidence for the increase in rural poverty in the late eighteenth century.

Table of Contents:
Dedication; Part I: 1. Introductory observations concerning the poor and the poor-laws; 2. An enquiry into the state of the poor, necessary, previous to a reform of the poor-laws; 3. Observations suggested by the foregoing accounts; 4. An apology for the poor; Part II: 1. A view of the progressive advance of the poor-rate; 2. Circumstances which have enhanced the prices of the necessaries of life, and by consequence increased the number of the poor, thereby doubly augmenting the rate; 3. Circumstances which have directly increased the number of the poor, and by consequence the amount of the rate; 4. Circumstances which have directly increased the rate itself; 5. Comparison of the prices of the necessaries of life about the middle of this century with the with their present prices; 6. Application of the contents of Sections II and III to account for the late augmentation of the poor-rate; 7. Sketch of the relative proportion between labour and the necessaries of life in different periods; Part III: 1. A reduction of the prices of certain necessary articles recommended, as soon as this shall be practicable; 2. Providing additional employment for men and boys in winter, that they may lose no time at that season; 3. Providing constant employment for women and girls, that they may be enabled to earn more than they commonly do; 4. Correcting the improvidence of the lower people, and encouraging frugality among them; 5. Rating the wages of labourers according to the statute 5 Eliz. c.4, or; 6. Regulating the price of day-labour by the price of bread; 7. Supplying the deficiency of the earnings of large families out of the poor-rate, &c.; 8. A supposed objection against the measure of raising wages answered. Conclusion; Appendix containing a collection of accounts, shewing the earnings and expences of labouring families in different parts of the kingdom.