Strona 373 z 2651

Nobody can gain a settlement by either of the two first ways, but

by the public deed of the whole parish, who are too well aware of

the consequences to adopt any new-comer, who has nothing but his

labour to support him, either by taxing him to parish rates, or

by electing him into a parish office.

No married man can well gain any settlement in either of the two

last ways. An apprentice is scarce ever married; and it is

expressly enacted, that no married servant shall gain any

settlement by being hired for a year. The principal effect of

introducing settlement by service, has been to put out in a great

measure the old fashion of hiring for a year; which before had

been so customary in England, that even at this day, if no

particular term is agreed upon, the law intends that every

servant is hired for a year. But masters are not always willing

to give their servants a settlement by hiring them in this

manner; and servants are not always willing to be so hired,

because, as every last settlement discharges all the foregoing,

they might thereby lose their original settlement in the places

of their nativity, the habitation of their parents and relations.