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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



tions are rarely toward self-improvement or useful learning. 

 He blindly considers it his interest to induce his customers to 

 allow him to use the greatest amount of material possible in his 

 work, and the greater the complication of arrangement of pipes 

 and fixtures with the consequent mystification of his patrons, the 



more absolute becomes his power, with largely increased possi- 

 bilities of extra charges. 



Compare the plumber and his " helpers " with the young me- 

 chanics in almost any good machine-shop, and decide which 

 occupation engages young men of greater intelligence and skill 

 in manual work. Obstinately following tradition, our plumbers 



