This subject came up before I think. There appears to have been a widespread movement to restrict shop hours and from memory the drapers themselves played quite a part as they themselves were badly affected. J On 29 Apr 2010, at 15:29, isabelj@talktalk.net wrote: > MEVAGISSEY - A correspondent wishes to direct the attention of the > ladies and shopkeepers of Mevagissey to the evils of the late-house > system in drapers and other shops. He says it prevents the assistants > from devoting any time to self-improvement, and in many instances has > such an effect on their health as to send them to an early grave.