VI] LONDON WORKERS, SECULARISTS, ETC. 83 



as a journeyman in large shops and living on journeyman's 

 wages. His statement is as follows : — 



" Having been personally associated with the workers in 

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

 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 5i*. a day of ten 

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

 variation 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, gene- 

 rally 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 

 without 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 work- 

 man with his 30J". 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 4^-. a week, and 

 his three meals a day, taken at the eating-houses and 

 coffee-shops, would not cost more than 8j". a week ; his 

 working clothes were cheap, and he would have one 



