FARRIERS' ' STRIKE ' IN PJRIS. 623 



that if all the horses in our large cities — such as London, 

 Manchester, or Liverpool — were deprived of their hoof- 

 armature, in two or three days at most they would, if 

 worked, be all footsore ; and then attempt to realize the 

 stagnation that would take place in the movement and 

 business of these thronging marts ! A feeble illustration 

 is afforded in what took place in Paris in 1830, when, 

 after the revolution, coalitions of trades commenced, and, 

 with others, when the farriers struck for more wages. 

 As a consequence, all the shoeing-forges in Paris were 

 closed at the same time, and remained so for about six 

 weeks. During this period, according to the statement 

 of M. Bouley, it was curious to note the changes that 

 took place in the various branches of trade or pleasure- 

 making which depended on the services of horses. Of 

 course, at first the farriers' contumacy did not produce 

 any very marked results, because for some days the shoes 

 then on the hoofs sufficed to preserve them from injury. 

 But as these became worn out day after day, and as there 

 were no means of renewing them, the number of animals 

 unfit for work and kept in their stables gradually became 

 more and more numerous, until in from three to four 

 weeks, an almost complete cessation of horse-labour had 

 taken place. At this period, the absence of horses and 

 carriages from the streets, and the unusual stillness reign- 

 ing throughout, seemed quite perplexing, and the city 

 looked desolate. Trade had suffered very seriously ; and 

 the public service, as well as the necessary communication 

 between the capital and the other cities and towns of 

 France, was sadly deranged ; for as at that time railways 

 had not been introduced, all inland conveyance of letters. 



