THE SOBRIETY OF FRENCH WORKMEN. 401 



when labour was In great demand, has led to drinking 

 habits with many, causing them to become careless in 

 their work, irregular as to their hours, and the influence 

 of these habits has been in every way pernicious. 

 Great and steady progress has been made in England 

 towards greater sobriety ; but a few years of brisk trade 

 have thrown back the progress of improvement. Until 

 a great change takes place, as regards the consumption 

 of strong drinks, British carriage-building, like other 

 trades, can make comparatively little progress. 



These observations, coming from an eminent 

 coach-builder like Mr. Hooper, only confirm the 

 opinions of all employers of labour with respect to 

 the question of drink. English workmen become 

 intoxicated with strong liquors, whereas Frenchmen 

 rarely, if ever, are intoxicated, except with excitement. 

 In times of popular excitement, no nation loses its 

 head quicker ; but this is not to be attributed to the 

 intemperate use of strong drinks, but rather to a 

 wrongly directed superabundant vitality, engendered 

 by false political teachings, to which one need only 

 apply a spark to kindle an unquenchable flame. 



A remarkable feature in the French carriages, 

 Mr. Hooper says, is their very high finish. They 

 are all varnished with English or American varnish ; 

 many of the most highly-finished are, in addition, 

 hand-polished all over panels, wheels, etc. Masters 

 and men must have worked together harmoniously 

 to obtain such results ; they both receive a more 

 suitable, scientific, and artistic training than in 

 England ; there is evidence of care, patience, in- 

 telligence, taste, and a loving pride in their work. 

 The fittings of the drags especially are finished with 

 great care : walnut-wood, veneered ice-wells, polished 



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