272 THE WORLD'S LUMBER ROOM. 



for they either do not know or do not respect the customs 

 of the society, and being apt to encroach on other people's 

 rights, are looked upon as bunglers and dabblers, a " dis- 

 turbing element," in fact, calculated to throw the well- 

 regulated machinery of the body out of gear. 



The rouleurs are more respectable than these, and have 

 each their own particular districts, in which they make their 

 rounds ; they do not trespass on their neighbours' property, 

 and expect to have their own hunting-grounds treated with 

 equal respect. 



The placiers occupy the highest rank of all, and, as 

 the aristocrats of the brotherhood, have the privilege of 

 overhauling the "dust" before it is turned out into the 

 street. The concierge, who knows them well, and treats 

 them with benevolent condescension, allows them even to 

 come into the house and pick the dust over undisturbed. 

 A placier will visit from ten to thirty houses in this way ; 

 and in return for the indulgence shown him will fetch 

 water, or do any other little service for the concierge. His 

 place is worth something in a wealthy neighbourhood, and 

 when he retires from the business he sells it to his suc- 

 cessor, who makes his first appearance with him one 

 Sunday morning in a tidy suit of clothes, and is formally 

 introduced to all the concierges on his beat, and is recom- 

 mended to their kind consideration. It is said that some 

 placiers have paid as much as 1,000 francs for their 

 business. 



Besides the chiffonniers of these three classes, there 

 are, above them again, the contractors, who buy the 

 refuse of them, have it sorted by day-labourers, and then 



