3^7 



art, there are two dafles ; and thefe difFer as much, in their notions, and 

 according to their confined apprehenfions, in their interefts, as thofe, who 

 deal in two diftincV, and feparate trades : the mailer manufafturers, and 

 the working manufafturers, or journeymen. The objeft of the mafter, is, 

 to get as much work for as little money, as poflible ; of the journeymen, 

 to get as much money, for as little work as poflible. It is the objeft of the 

 mailer, to fix the maximum of labour, and to make this maximum as 

 fmall as polTible. To effeft this, he endeavours to obtain the aid of the le- 

 giflature ; and to eftablifh fuch laws, as that in England, which empowers 

 two magiftrates, to fix the price of labour. He obtains penal laws, to reftricl 

 and punifli all meetings and combinations of the journeymen, for the pur- 

 pofe of demanding, and enforcing, an encreafe of wages. He endeavours, 

 to reduce his refraftory workmen to his own terms, by taking an extraordi- 

 nary number of apprentices, and inviting Grangers into his employment. 

 The workmen endeavour, to conquer their employer, and traverfehis views» 

 by refufing to work ; by aflbciations, and contributions, to fupport each 

 other, in this refufal ; by combinations, to limit the number of apprentices 

 to be taken by one perfon ; and, by threats, and outrage, they attempt 

 to drive away ftrangers from the fervice of the mafter manufacturer ; — great 

 outcries are raifed, on both fides ; and mutual recriminations thrown out t 

 the infolence, the intemperance, and riotous conduft of the lower clafi!es, 

 furniih topics, of complaint, and declamation, on the one hand ; the high 

 price of provifions, the inadequate price of labour, the opprefljve conduct of 

 the employers, are magnified, on the other. — There may be fome truth, m 

 the allegations, on both fides.* 



How is the controverfy to be adjufted ? — by introducing the law of the 

 maximum ; a law introduced in France under the tyranny of Robefpiere, and 

 which was attended with confcquences moft baleful to induftry ? — No ; the 

 interference of the legtflature, to fix the price of labour, is, in all cafes, in- 

 jurious, and improper. If it fixes the price of labour too high, the mafter 



manufacturer 



• See the interefting debate, on a motion introduced by Mr. Whitbread, 



