LONDON WORKERS, SECULARISTS, ETC. 83 



the building trade about half a century ago (from 1835 t0 

 1845), I feel qualified to describe the social condition of skilled 

 mechanics at that period, more especially that of the car- 

 penters and joiners. At that time every kind of work was 

 done by hand, no machines except hand-tools were ever used, 

 even boards of all thicknesses being sawn on the premises by 

 hand labour out of thick planks from Northern Europe or 

 Canada. 



" The wages of good workmen were 5.?. a day of ten 

 hours; and 6d. an hour was added or deducted for any vari- 

 ation from that time. No wages were paid except for a fair 

 amount of work, and if the work was temporarily suspended 

 by rain or otherwise, no compensation was given or expected. 

 All the joiner's work was done in shops, generally well lighted 

 and with good sanitary conditions ; nothing but the rough 

 carpenter's work was done in buildings before the roof was 

 on. Working hours were from 6 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., with an 

 hour and a half out for breakfast and dinner. Men were paid 

 weekly on Saturday evening, and were generally discharged 

 at that time, and the last two hours and a half were allowed for 

 grinding tools. 



" The best workmen were seldom discharged unless in very 

 'dull times. At many shops men often worked for years with- 

 out ever losing time except through sickness or accident; 

 but, of course, these were the very best men. There were 

 always some out of work, especially in winter or in times of 

 depression. 



" As regards their social condition, the skilled workman 

 with his 30.?. a week, if a single man of steady and frugal 

 habits, could save half his wages and have proper food, 

 lodging, and clothing suitable to his position. His furnished 

 lodging of one room would cost 4s. a week, and his three meals 

 a day, taken at the eating-houses and coffee-shops, would not 

 cost more than Ss. a week; his working clothes were cheap, 

 and he would have one superior suit for Sundays and holidays. 

 Of course, if he were of a gay disposition, he would spend 

 more and save less, but that would not be the indispensable 

 outlay of a working man. 



