I often wonder what the result would be if young children were able to take pen and ink and write down their ideas of life. What a charming book it would make, but how sadly visionary and unreal the terrestrial paradise it would describe.
Of course, there would be no lack of money, and I suppose the lords and ladies would not be too proud to eat plum cake and gingerbread, and there would be no end of lollipops and apples, to say nothing of toys and other necessaries of life. As to books, I am afraid there would not be a very large supply, but the standard works would be “Jack the Giant Killer,” “Grimm’s Fairy Tales,” and “ Alice in Wonderland;” and no doubt reading and writing would be natural accomplishments that would come as a matter of course like the first teeth. (more…)
There are some men in London who have not travelled far, nor seen many workshops, whose ideas of the importance of the Metropolis and the excellence of everything done in it might be corrected by hearing the opinions of master craftsmen in the quiet towns of England and Scotland. There are men in the provinces who have a strong suspicion that furniture made in London has not been well made: it may be fashionable, they admit, but it is likely to be flimsy; it may be cheap, but it is not durable; for they know that good material cannot be procured at the price, and cabinet makers in the country do not work for nothing.
They smile when you tell them that large transactions can pay for the great rents charged for warehouses and workshops in the City, and ask you if living is cheap, and what percentage is given for commission. They put their hands in their pockets and say, We can buy wood in the same markets with your manufacturers, we employ no middle-men, our rents are not so high, our profits are not too great, and we cannot compete with you in cheapness.
They may be too polite to hint that London furniture is dear in the long run. They confess that they have a personal interest in the welfare of their friends; they dislike accidents, and nurse a strong prejudice against chairs that need repairing in twelve months and tables liable to paralysis in the legs. Their customers do not believe that everything excellent comes from the Metropolis; and as they desire solidity and durability, they are prepared to pay a fair price to cabinet makers in their own town. A good reputation is the best advertisement in the country; for friends tell their neighbours where they can have value for their money. (more…)
We have often thought that if masters properly comprehended the relation they sustain to their apprentices and employees, their pecuniary interest would not only be greatly enhanced, but that a positive good would be rendered to every branch of industry in which they are engaged, as well through a more harmonious concert of action as a superior social elevation given to the worthy class under them.
To our view, this relation is somewhat analogous to that existing between parents and children, so far as the development of their minds and the instilment of sound principles of morality and industry, the encouragement of skill in manipulation, and the attainment of knowledge are concerned. We believe the observation of a celebrated master, that no one is born without capacity for some branch of industry, is a just one, and that where stupidity exists it is nothing else but neglect of proper discipline and education in the youth of the person thus unfortunately deficient.
To establish this fact it needs no fresh arguments of ours to show how extremely ductile, how capable of government and restraint, and how susceptible of instruction human nature is, when approached in the proper spirit of kindness, dignity and respect, which stimulates zeal and ambition, and produces a corresponding return.
The first duty of a master should be to present in himself an example for imitation in the elements of industry, morality, system, and the other attributes which constitute a superior mechanic or workman. There are many apprentices who have so much of the spirit of self-reliance and genius that this example is not essentially necessary; but if we pursue the reflection, and for the certainty of the rule consider (what no man can fail to observe) the effect the characters of others of a superior rank have upon those immediately connected with them, it will be obvious to all that the master, in a great measure, impresses the inferior with the prominent traits of his character.
They should, moreover, observe and study the dispositions and minds of their apprentices, with a view of conciliating their regard and confidence, and through this means to establish a free and familiar intercourse, and render the task of instruction and development more simple and easy. As the apprentices advance in knowledge and skill, suitable evidences of appreciation and encouragement should be given them. This will stimulate their ambition and exertion, and create among them a worthy spirit of emulation.
Where the character of an apprentice is such as to require a tight rein upon his actions, and the deprivation of privileges, and other suitable punishments for idleness and misconduct, care should be observed that these curbs and punishments do not descend into such acts of tyranny as will destroy the spirit and ambition of the youth, and render him obstinate, unruly, and beyond all future influences of excellence and good.
Besides a thorough instruction in his trade or profession, and a sound and healthy education to otherwise render him fit for his social position in life, it should be the aim of a master to instil into his pupil all the scientific and other knowledge possible, even should such knowledge have no direct bearing upon the business or trade in which he is engaged. Such acts of interest, kindness, and confidence as these, and others of a corresponding character, cannot fail to produce the most marked beneficial results upon the interests of the master, and the happiness and condition of the grateful apprentice.
I have often heard the fact stated, and I have noticed it myself when looking through some of our workshops, that the mechanics’ places in this country, in nine cases out of ten, are filled by foreigners. The building trade seems to present no exception to this general rule. Very naturally the question arises, Why don’t our American youths learn trades? Some blame it to idleness, but I think that is not a satisfactory explanation. Others say the boys prefer to measure tape, and appear to better advantage than they would as professors of carpentry or knights of the trowel.
There is one thing certain, foreigners do not make any better mechanics than our own countrymen. Our boys are no less ambitious to-day than they were 40 years ago, but still the fact remains that they are turning their backs on trades. I propose to try my hand at a solution of this problem, leaving the readers to judge whether or not I am right. I propose for illustration to take my own trade, one which, had Carpentry and Building been printed 20 years ago, would have had thousands of better posted men in it than it contains to-day. (more…)
Every boy ought to know how to drive a nail and saw a board. Somewhere in connection with every well-ordered home there should be a workshop of some sort. An article could easily be written treating exclusively on the advantages accruing from even a slight dexterity in the use of a few tools, and it could easily be shown that these advantages are by no means confined to artisans, but that professional men and men of affairs find healthful exercise, pleasant diversion, and mental discipline “over the bench.”
But omitting all that, we start now with the postulate that a boy ought to have a workshop, and the only question for present consideration is how it ought to be fitted up. As the chief purpose of the boy’s workshop is rather to give the boy plenty of congenial work than for the sake of the work the boy will do, the more of the work of fitting up the shop that is left to the boy the better. We put four “works” in that sentence, and we are glad of it. Happiness depends almost wholly on occupation. Professor Albert Hopkins once gave as his idea of happiness, “right activity.” (more…)
