From History Matters: The U.S. Survey Course on the Web:
M Sep 8: Colonists, Farms, and Factories:
"I Wove To-day": Elizabeth Fuller Grows Up in Rural Massachusetts:
Farm households depended heavily on the work of women and children. At first children were assigned simple tasks; later they learned chores that were differentiated according to gender roles. In the 1790s, young unmarried women such as Elizabeth Fuller pursued work in the dairy or in home manufacturing along with their housework and garden tasks. Fuller lived in the central Massachusetts town of Princeton; her diary recorded her health, social activities, and any unusual events in her life. Mostly, she faced a regular round of household tasks such as making cheese or baking pies. She often washed, carded, and spun wool, since her most significant labor was the household textile production that provided most farm families with their clothing.
Oct 1790
13 — Mrs. Perry, Miss Eliza Harris, Miss Sally Puffer, and Miss Hannah Haynes, and Wareham, and Rebekah Hastings were baptised by immersion. — I was fifteen to-day.
14 — A hard storm. Mr. Eveleth was buried.
18 — Pa and Ma set out for Sandwich. I am quite sick, don’t sit up but very little.
21 — I was so bad that we sent for Dr. Wilson. When he came he told me I had a settled Fever.
1790 Nov.
5 — Nathan Perry here about an hour this eve. I am a good deal better, have been out of my room two or three times. 8 o’clock Pa and Ma came home, we were over joyed to see them, but had done expecting them.
7 — Sabbath, no preaching in town.
11 —Timmy went to mill.
14 — Sabbath. Mr. Sparhawk preached, came here at night.
19 — Nathan Perry here this evening.
20 — Leonard Woods here this morn. Mrs. Perry here this afternoon a visiting.
21 —Sabbath. Mr. Brown of Winchendon preached.
22 — Revd. Mr. Brown breakfasted with us this morning. He is an agreable pretty man.
23 — Mr. Gregory killed a cow for Pa.
24 — We baked two ovensfull of pyes. — Mr. Nathan Perry here this eve.
25 — Thanksgiving to-day we baked three ovensfull of pyes. There was no preaching so we had nothing to do but eat them. The pyes were a great deal better than they were last Thanksgiving for I made them all myself, and part of them were made of flour which we got of Mr. H. Hastings therefore we had plenty of spice.
26 — Mr. Ephriam Mirick here. Pa went to town meeting.
27 — Mr. Gregory killed our hogs to-day.
28 — There is no preaching in this town. There came a considerable snow last night.
30 — Caty Eveleth was married the 22nd inst.
1790 Dec.
1 - I went to Mr. Perry’s to make a visit this afternoon, had an excellent dish of tea and a shortcake. — Betsey Whitcomb at work there. Had a sociable afternoon.
2 — Silas Perry here to-day before sunrise. Pa is very poorly having a very bad cough. I am a good deal afraid he will go into a consumption. Oh! if my soul was formed for woe how would I vent my sighs My grief it would like rivers flow, from both my
streaming eyes. I am disconsolate to-night.
4 — I minced the Link meat.
6 — Timmy has gone to the singing meeting.
11 —Sabbath. David Perry here to borrow our singing book.
16 — John Brooks here killing our sheep. A severe snow storm.
17 — Very cold. I made sixteen dozen of candles.
19 — Sabbath cold enough to freeze fools but I was so wise I would have gone to meeting had not Ma kept me at home. I had not sense enough to more than balance my folly. Pa went to meeting, got there time enough to hear three hims and the prayer, but it was as much as ever he did. Mr. Lee preached.
21 —James Mirick is here, says Ephraim is gone to Fitzwilliam to bring Mrs. Garfield and her household stuff down.
22 — David Perry here to get Timmy to go to the singing school with him.
24 — I scoured the pewter. Pa went to Fitchburg.
26 — Sabbath. Stormy weather. We all stayed at home. Pretty warm.
28 — Cold and pleasant to-day. Pa sold his mare, is to have eleven dollars and a cow. Pa and Timmy went to Mr. Holden’s in Westminster to drive the cow home. She behaved so bad they did not get her farther than Mr. Dodd’s. Mr. Woods here to borrow some books of Pa.
30 — Very pleasant. Mr. Eveleth’s personal estate vendued. Pa and Tim gone there.
31 — Cloudy and cold, evening. Mr. Nathan Perry here this evening.
[...]
1791 Mar.
1 — Pa went to Mr. Stephen Brighams to write his will. Ma began to spin the wool for Pa’s coat. I card for her & do the household work.
2 — Ma is a spinning.
3 — Ma spun three skeins. — Nathan Perry here. — Pa is gone to Mr. Hastings this eve.
4 — Mrs. Perry here to spend the afternoon.
5 — Ma spun.
6 — Sabbath, no Meeting in Town.
7 — very warm. Anna Perry here visiting. — I made 18 dozen of candles & washed.
8 — Ma spun.
9 — Miss Eunice Mirick here a visiting this afternoon.
10 — Warm and rainy. — Francis Eveleth here to borrow our singing Book. Ma spun.
11 — Rainy weather. Mr. Thomson here to-day after rates. Mr, Parmenter here, bought two calf skins of Pa, gave him ten shillings apiece. — David Perry here. — Timmy went to Mr. Brooks.
12 — David Perry here to-day.
13 — Sabbath no Meeting.
14 — March Meeting Mr. Crafts asked a dismission, had his request granted without the least difficulty, so now we are once more a free people ha ha, he is going to Weymouth to keep shop a going out of Town this week 'tis thought he has not much to carry with him I do not know nor care what he has.
15 — Revd. Mr. Rice & Mr. Isaac Thomson here. Mr. Rice Dined here.
16 — Pa went to Mr. Bangs to-day.
18 — Capt. Clark here this evening.
19 — John Brooks here to-day. — Nathan Perry here for the newspaper. — Ma spun two skeins & an half of filling yarn.
20 — Sabbath. Pa went to church Mr. Saunders Preached, he is one of Stephen Baxters classmates, the going was so bad that none of the rest of our Family went to hear him.
21 —- Cold. Mr. Brooks here.
22 — Pa went to Mr. Bangs.
23 — Pa went to Mr. Rolphs to-day. On the 13th inst. Miss Caty Mirick was Married to Mr. Joshua Eveleth.
24 — Mr. Brooks here to-day to get Pa to write a Deed of Mr. Hastingses Farm for him.
25 — Ma finished spinning her blue Wool to-day.
26 — Ma went to Mrs. Miricks to get a slay Harness. Mrs. Caty Eveleth came home with her.
27—Sabbath very pleasant I went to church. Mr. Rolph Preached. — Esqr. Woolson here to tarry all night.
28 — Esqr. Woolson went from here this morning. A man here to-day that was both deaf and dumb, he is Son to a Merchant in London, he went to sea & the ship was struck with Lightning & which occasioned his being deaf & dumb, he could write wrote a good deal here. He was a good looking young Man, about 25 he wrote his name Joel Smith. I really pitied him. I went to Mrs. Miricks & warped the piece.
29 — Mrs. Garfield came here to show me how to draw in Piece did not stay but about half an hour.
30 — I tyed in the Piece & wove two yards.
31 — Fast. I went to Meeting all day. Mr. Rolph preached half of the day & Mr. Saunders the other half. Mr. Saunders is a very good Preacher & a handsome Man. — David Perry here this evening to sing with us.
1791 April
1 — I wove two yards and three quarters & three inches to-day & I think I did pretty well considering it was April Fool day. Mr. Brooks & Mr. Hastings here to get Pa to do some writing for them.
2 — I wove three yards and a quarter,
3 —Sabbath. I went to church. — an anular eclipse of the sun, it was fair weather. 4— I wove five yards & a quarter. Mr. Cutting here this eve.
5 — I wove four yards. Mrs. Garfield & Mrs. Eveleth who was once Caty Mirick here a visiting. —The real estate of Mr. Josiah Mirick deceased is vendued to-day. (eve) Timmy has got home from the vendue Mr. Cutting has bought the Farm gave 255£ Sam Matthews has bought the part of the Pew gave eight dollars.
6 — I got out the White piece Mrs. Garfield warped the blue, came here & began to draw in the Piece.
7 — I finished drawing in the Piece & wove a yard & a half. Sam Matthews here to-day.
8 — I wove two yards & a quarter.
9 — I wove two yards & a quarter.
10 — Sabbath. I went to church in the A.M. Mamma went in the P.M. she has not been before since she came from Sandwich.
11 —I wove a yard & a half. Parmela Mirick here to see me.
12 — I wove to-day.
13 — Mrs. Brooks here a visiting. I wove.
14 — I got out the Piece in the A.M. Pa carried it to Mr. Deadmans. Miss Eliza Harris here.
15 — I began to spin Linnen spun 21 knots. I went to Mr. Perrys on an errand. Pa went to Mr. Matthews to write his will & some deeds. He has sold Dr. Wilson 20 acres of Land & given Sam a deed of some I believe about 25 acres.
16 — Pa went to Mr. Matthews again. — I spun 21 knots.
17 — Sabbath I went to church all day Mr. Davis Preached Mr. Saunders is sick.
18 — I spun two double skeins of Linnen.
19 — I spun two double skeins.
20—I spun two double skeins. — Ma went to Mrs. Miricks for a visit was sent for home. — Revd. Daniel Fuller of Cape Ann here to see us.
21—Revd. Mr. Fuller went from here this morn. Ma went to Mrs. Miricks again. — I spun two skeins. — Sukey Eveleth & Nabby here to see Nancy.
22 — I spun two double skeins O dear Quadyille has murdered wit, & work will do as bad, for wit is always merry, but work does make me sad.
23 — I spun two skeins. Nathan Perry here. — Ware-ham Hastings at work here.
24 — I went to church. Mr. Thurston Preached. — Mr. Saunders is sick.
25 — Leonard Woods here all this forenoon, brought Hoi-yokes singing Book. Left it here.
26 — Pa went to see Mr. Saunders. I Pricked some tunes out of Holyokes Singing Book.
27 — I spun five skeins of linnen yarn.
28 — I spun five skeins of linnen yarn. Pa went to Sterling.
29 — I Pricked some Tunes out of Holyokes singing Book. I spun some.
30 — I spun four skeins to-day.
1791 May
1 —Sabbath I went to Meeting to-day.
2 — I spun five skeins to-day.
3 — I spun five skeins to-day.
4 — I spun two skeins to-day finished the Warp for this Piece. — Nathan Perry worked here this P.M.
5 — I spun four skeins of tow for the filling to the Piece. I have been spinning, Pa went to Worcester to get the newspaper. Nathan Perry here this eve.
6— I spun four Skeins to-day.
7 — I spun four Skeins to-day.
8 — Sabbath. I went to church A.M. Mr. Thurston preached. Mr. John Rolph & his Lady & Mr. Osburn her Brother & a Miss Anna Strong (a Lady courted by said Osbourn) came here after Meeting and drank Tea.
9 — I spun four skeins. Mr. Thurston here this P.M. a visiting he is an agreeable Man appears much better out of the Pulpit than in.
10— I spun four Skeins to-day.
11 — I spun four skeins.
12 — I spun four skeins. Lucy Matthews here.
13 — I spun four skeins. — Ma is making Soap. Rainy.
14 — I spun four skeins. Ma finished making soap and it is very good.
15 — I went to church A. M. Mr. Thurston Preached he is a ——. — Mr. Rolph drank Tea here.
17 — I spun four skeins to-day.
18 — I spun four skeins of linnen yarn to Make a Harness of. — Ma is a breaking.
19 — I spun two skeins and twisted the harness yarn.
20— Mrs. Garfield came here this Morning to show me how to make a Harness, did not stay but about half an Hour. — Mrs. Perry & Miss Eliza Harris here a visiting.
21 — I went to Mrs. Miricks and warped the Piece.
22 — I went to church in the A.M. Mr. Saunders preached gave us a good sermon his text Romans 6th Chap. 23 verse. For the wages of Sin is Death.
23 — I got in my Piece to-day wove a yard.
24 — Wove two yards & an half.
25 — Election. I wove three Yards to-day. — Mrs. Perry here a few moments.
26 — I wove three Yards to-day. The two Mrs. Matthews here to Day. I liked Sam’s Wife much better than I expected to. — Miss. Eliza Harris here about two Hours.
27 — I wove five Yards to-day.
29 — Pleasant weather. Pa went to Sterling. My Cousin Jacob Kcmbal of Amherst came here to-day.
30 — General Election at Bolton. — Mr. Josiah Eveleth & Wife & Mrs. Garfield here on a visit.
1791 June
1—Moses Harrington carried off Mr. Hastings old shop.
2—Elislia Brooks here to-day.
5—I made myself a Shift. — Mrs. Perry here a visiting. Nathan Perry here this evening.
6—Sabbath. No Meeting in Town. Elisha Brooks here to see if there was a meeting.
7—I made myself a blue worsted Coat.
8—Aaron & Nathan Perry here. — Pamela Mirick here a visiting this afternoon.
9—Mrs. Brooks here a visiting. — I helped Sally make me a blue worsted Gown.
10—I helped Sally make me a brown Woolen Gown.
12—Sally cut out a striped lutestring Gown for me.
13—Sabbath I went to church. Mr. Green Preached.
14—Aaron Perry here.
15—I cut out a striped linnen Gown. — Sally finished my lutestring.
16—Rainy weather. Ma cut out a Coattce for me. —Salmon Houghton breakfasted with us. — Elisha Brooks spent the afternoon here.
17—Ma, Sally & I spent the afternoon at Mrs. Miricks.
18—Cool. Sally finished my Coattee.
19—I finished my striped linnen Gown. Mr. Soloman Davis here. Sabbath.
20—I went to Church, wore my lutestring, Sally wore hers we went to Mr. Richardsons & Dined. —rained at night.
21—Pleasant weather. Mr. Bush here.
22—Capt. Moore here to-day. Put in my dwiant Coat & Sally & I quilted it out before night.
23—Sally put in a Worsted Coat for herself and we quilted it out by the middle of the afternoon. Very pleasant weather.
24—I made myself a Shift.
25—Very hot weather. — Abishai Eveleth here.
27—Rainy, unpleasant weather. I stayed at home all day.
Source: Francis E. Blake, “Diary Kept by Elizabeth Fuller,” History of the Town of Princeton (Princeton, Massachusetts: Town, 1915), 1: 303–11.
The Lowell Mill Girls Go on Strike, 1836: Harriet Hanson Robinson
A group of Boston capitalists built a major textile manufacturing center in Lowell, Massachusetts, in the second quarter of the 19th century. The first factories recruited women from rural New England as their labor force. These young women, far from home, lived in rows of boardinghouses adjacent to the growing number of mills. The industrial production of textiles was highly profitable,and the number of factories in Lowell and other mill towns increased. More mills led to overproduction, which led to a drop in prices and profits. Mill owners reduced wages and speeded up the pace of work. The young female operatives organized to protest these wage cuts in 1834 and 1836. Harriet Hanson Robinson was one of those factory operatives; she began work in Lowell at the age of ten, later becoming an author and advocate of women’s suffrage. In 1898 she published Loom and Spindle, a memoir of her Lowell experiences, where she recounted the strike of 1836.
One of the first strikes of cotton-factory operatives that ever took place in this country was that in Lowell, in October, 1836. When it was announced that the wages were to be cut down, great indignation was felt, and it was decided to strike, en masse. This was done. The mills were shut down, and the girls went in procession from their several corporations to the “grove” on Chapel Hill, and listened to “incendiary” speeches from early labor reformers.
One of the girls stood on a pump, and gave vent to the feelings of her companions in a neat speech, declaring that it was their duty to resist all attempts at cutting down the wages. This was the first time a woman had spoken in public in Lowell, and the event caused surprise and consternation among her audience.
Cutting down the wages was not their only grievance, nor the only cause of this strike. Hitherto the corporations had paid twenty—five cents a week towards the board of each operative, and now it was their purpose to have the girls pay the sum; and this, in addition to the cut in the wages, would make a difference of at least one dollar a week. It was estimated that as many as twelve or fifteen hundred girls turned out, and walked in procession through the streets. They had neither flags nor music, but sang songs, a favorite (but rather inappropriate) one being a parody on “I won’t be a nun. ”
"Oh! isn’t it a pity, such a pretty girl as I-
Should be sent to the factory to pine away and die?
Oh ! I cannot be a slave,
I will not be a slave,
For I’m so fond of liberty
That I cannot be a slave."
My own recollection of this first strike (or “turn out” as it was called) is very vivid. I worked in a lower room, where I had heard the proposed strike fully, if not vehemently, discussed; I had been an ardent listener to what was said against this attempt at “oppression” on the part of the corporation, and naturally I took sides with the strikers. When the day came on which the girls were to turn out, those in the upper rooms started first, and so many of them left that our mill was at once shut down. Then, when the girls in my room stood irresolute, uncertain what to do, asking each other, “Would you? ” or “Shall we turn out?” and not one of them 1laving the courage to lead off, I, who began to think they would not go out, after all their talk, became impatient, and started on ahead, saying, with childish bravado, "I don’t care what you do, I am going to turn out, whether any one else does or not;‘’ and I marched out, and was followed by the others.
As I looked back at the long line that followed me, I was more proud than I have ever been since at any success I may have achieved, and more proud than I shall ever be again until my own beloved State gives to its women citizens the right of suffrage.
The agent of the corporation where I then worked took some small revenges on the supposed ringleaders; on the principle of sending the weaker to the wall, my mother was turned away from her boarding-house, that functionary saying,“Mrs. Hanson, you could not prevent the older girls from turning out, but your daughter is a child, and her you could control.”
It is hardly necessary to say that so far as results were concerned this strike did no good. The dissatisfaction of the operatives subsided, or burned itself out, and though the authorities did not accede to their demands, the majority returned to their work, and the corporation went on cutting down the wages.
And after a time, as the wages became more and more reduced, the best portion of the girls left and went to their homes, or to the other employments that were fast opening to women, until there were very few of the old guard left; and thus the status of the factory population of New England gradually became what we know it to be to-day.
Source: Harriet Hanson Robinson, Loom and Spindle or Life Among the Early Mill Girls (New York, T. Y. Crowell, 1898), 83–86.
"For Oregon!" Settlers From Illinois Describe the New Territory, 1847:
On June 15, 1846, the United States and Britain signed a treaty dividing the Oregon Territory—which at that time stretched into British Columbia—at the forty-ninth parallel. The acquisition of Oregon, like the acquisition of Texas, was part of President Polk’s program of territorial expansion. In 1847 the Illinois Journal, a newspaper based in Springfield, Illinois, decided to publish letters from former Illinoisans who had been tempted by the promise of Oregon and emigrated there. Readers curious about what life was like in the wild, northern territory got a mixed bag of reviews. While all the settlers agreed that the region was healthy, they had different views regarding its climate, soil, water, timber—and its overall capacity to provide permanent happiness to restless Americans. The newspaper’s selections from these letters are included here.
Mr. Elijah Bristow, formerly a resident of M’Donough County:
"Pleasant Hill, Oregon, April 4, 1847.
"On the 8th of March, 1846 we left the Sacramento, in California, and after traveling thirty-five days, we reached the head of the Willamette valley in Oregon. As soon as I had rested I commenced looking at the country. I have examined it with a jealous eye; and have come to the conclusion that the Creator has placed Oregon at that point of the globe where it will ever be healthy. It has a good soil, is well watered, and has excellent timber.—The country is not as extensive as I had anticipated, but there is much unexplored. I have settled on Pleasant Hill, in the forks of the Willamette, 150 miles above ship navigation, and 60 or 70 miles from Alsea Bay, supposed to be a ship harbor.
People can live here with half the labor they can in Illinois. Stock live without corn. Wheat never fails; it will come up three years without sowing, and it is not known how much longer, but the last crop was the best. I have seen here the best that I ever saw any where: 56 bushels per acre measured. Rust is not known. We have two crops of grass a year; for as soon as the fall rain sets in the grass springs up and continues green all winter. Oats grow well; they are almost an evergreen. Turnips are raised weighing 18 lbs., and beets out of all credit. Cabbage, potatoes and other vegetables come well when it is not too dry,—Corn does but poorly, owing to the cool nights (made so by the sea breezes), but sufficient corn can be made to fatten pork, &c. Sheep, I think, will do well. Every family should bring ten ewes. They drive better than cattle. There is a plenty of bear, deer and elk near Pleasant Hill; and I could catch a plenty of fish if I had time. It does not rain as much in the winter as I anticipated. Last winter we had twenty-eight snows and fifteen times the valley was white. Many cattle of the last year’s emigration died; but those that were here before did well. The new emigrants were obliged to feed their cattle on wheat in order to winter them. I have conversed who have been here thirty-eight and forty years who never saw so hard a winter before. We can have every variety of climate, for two days' ride will carry us from the sultry plains to the region of eternal snow. This country is not without its objections. The greatest I can see is, that it rains a little too much in winter and not quite enough in summer. The time of harvesting is very dry. The water is as pure as ever bubbled from the earth. Some people here are much dissatisfied not finding every thing they wished. The principal cause of dissatisfaction is the difficulty of obtaining such things as they need, in this new country where every thing is scarce and high. Wheat $1, cash. Sharpening prairie plow $1. Dressing gun $2, and other things in proportion. There are many claims for sale. Some are going back to the States. f you see any of them you will not hear the truth, for they exaggerate to a person’s face. There are many of the best of claims not taken and will not be for years. The Willamette is a noble river with a rapid current to the falls. I have been to the mouth of the Columbia—do not like it. It is well described by Lewis and Clark. I do not think Puget Sound a very good farming country, though some like it. I have been induced to tear myself loose from the embraces of a kind and affectionate family in order to seek an asylum where under the direction of a kind Benefactor we could better our condition: and I am the worst deceived man you ever saw, if I have not found that place. All I regret is, that I did not get my consent to it years before. No country can present a better prospect for health at least. Many here have gained their health since they left the States. There are many who were miserably poor when the[y] left the States, who could no sell their property for from $3000 to $4000.
You would do well to come to Oregon if you can only get an outfit for your places; for I would not give a claim on Pleasant Hill for all three of your farms. When I look around and make full extimate [estimate] of all the prospects that are apparently eligible I can hardly enjoy myself as a christian should. My whole soul is in this thing. Tell B*** to come along, and if there are any others you have confidence in persuade them to come; for I think I am not deceived. You know I am no enthusiast. I have endeavored not to exaggerate, and you know this in my common way of writing. I have therefore said but little, but you may know from what I do that I am much pleased. It requires work to live as in other places. But we can do with less labor and responsibility, (after we get fixed,) the stock wintering without grain. The farmer has little else to do but to reap and sow his wheat. I know I may be censured for advising you all so strongly to come to Oregon: for it would be almost a miracle if all so large a family should be pleased. But I have done what I know to be my duty: as you are all young. Your mother and myself are getting old but we shall live many years longer here no doubt than in Illinois. You may think the journey will be attended with many difficulties, but if you will fix as I advise it will be no killing job, for I tell you honestly, that if you were all here with only an outfit and two year’s clothing, with three cows per family, you would be better off than you now are with all you have. You will find the journey a summer excursion or a pleasure trip, if you are not too anxious. I have never repented for a single moment my undertaking; for it is the best effort of my life. Get good strong wagons, with five or six yoke of oxen to each, and make light yokes. Bale all your feathers, extra bedding, &c., by making a box to fit a mould: lay in an envelope, pack your feathers, &c. as closely as possible: secure by means of the envelope; knock the box about; make the bales small, so as to be easily handled. Bring all your books in trunks or light boxes, your meat and flour (not superfine) in sacks.
Bring a tea-kettle, bake oven, and skillet: use tin dishes on the road. Some people have only a frying pan to keep house with on the road, live principally on beans and soup, mush and milk, with meat occasionally. Stop in the buffalo country and dry meat; waste not a particle of anything; give none to the Indians. Admit then not into your camp. Get a tin can with a small top and cap to fit, and you can have butter all the way. Rise early and keep moving. Do not push or fret your cattle by whipping them, for they will give out on the latter part of the road, where they are most needed—never get irritated. The road is the place to try men’s souls; those who are clever there will be clever anywhere. Start by the 20th of March, and be at St. Joseph’s on the first of May almost at the peril of your lives! Be up and better yourselves! Loitering will never do! Pick your company; get among Christians, if possible. Strive to be in the first company. Methinks that if I could see you all here well, I could say with Simeon of old, “Now Lord lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” Now my dear family adieu! and may the God of peace preserve you wholly till we are all permitted to meet on this distant shore, and again unite our voices in singing those solemn lays which have so often cheered our hearts whilst I was with you, and the memory of which, causes me to sigh for the society of my long absent family.—Adieu. Your’s in hope of a blessed immortality.
ELIJAH BRISTOW.
Source: Illinois Journal (Springfield, Illinois), November 11, 1847.
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