idea we now annex to the word appren- 
tice. 
Long apprenticeships are altogether un- 
necessary. The arts, which are much su- 
perior to common trades, such as those of 
making clocks and watches, contain no such 
mystery as to require a long course of in- 
struction. In the common mechanic trades, 
the lessons of a few days might certaiidy 
be sufficient. The dexterity of hand, in- 
deed, even in common trades, cannot be 
acquired without much practice and expe- 
rience. But a young man would practise 
with much more diligence and attention, if 
from the beginning, he wrought as a jour- 
neyman, being paid in proportion to the 
little work which he could execute, and 
paying, in his turn, for the materials which 
he might sometimes spoil through aukward- 
ness and inexperience. His education would 
generally in this way be more effectual, and 
always less tedious and expensive. The 
master, indeed, would be a loser ; he would 
lose all the wages of the apprentice, which 
he now saves for seven years together. In 
the end, perhaps, the apprentice himself 
would be a loser : in a trade so easily learnt 
he would have more competitors ; and his 
wages, when he came tb be a complete 
workman, would be much less than at pre- 
sent. The same increase of competition 
would reduce the profits of the masters, as 
well as the wages of the workmen: the 
trades, the crafts, the mysteries would all 
be losers ; but the public would be a gain- 
er, the work of all artificers coming in this 
way much cheaper to market. 
We cannot conclude this article better 
than by inserting an admirable paper on the 
subject of apprentice laws, drawn up, and 
printed for private circulation, by a gentle- 
man of high legal authority, and member of 
parliament, entitled “ A few Opinions of 
some great and good hi en, and sound Law- 
yers, on the Apprentice Laws of Queen 
Elizabeth, applicable to the /Era of 1806-7.” 
Lord Mansfield, in his arguments on the 
ease, Rennard and Chase, brewers. 1 Bur. 
Rep. p. 2, says, “ It ’hath been well ob- 
served that this act ( viz. 5 Eliz. chap. 4.) 
is, 
1. A penal law. 
2. It is a restraint on natural right. 
3. It is contrary to the general right given 
by the common law of this kingdom. 
4 . The policy upon which this act was 
made, is from experience become doubtful. 
Bad and unskilful workmen are rarely pro- 
secuted. This act was made early in the 
reign of Queen Elizabeth, when the great 
number of manufacturers, who took refuge 
in England after the Duke of Alva’s pro- 
secution, had brought trade and com- 
merce with them, and enlarged our notions. 
The restraint introduced by this law was 
thought unfavourable; and the judges, by a 
liberal interpretation, have extended the 
qualification for exercising the trade much 
beyond the letter of it, and confined the 
penalty and prohibition to cases precisely 
within the express letter.” Burn’s Justice, 
vol. i. Art. Apprentices. 
3d Modern Reports, p. 317. Judge Dol- 
ben, in delivering his opinion, said, that 
“ No encouragement was ever given to 
prosecutions upon the statute 5 Eliz., and 
that it would be for the common good if it 
were repealed ; for no greater punishment 
can be to the seller, than to expose to sale 
goods ill-wrought, for by such means he 
will never sell more,” 
2 Salk. 613. The Queen v. Maddox. — It 
was held by the court, “ that upon indict- 
ments upon the statute of 3 Eliz. the follow- 
ing of a trade for seven years to be suffici- 
ent without any holding ; this being a hard 
law.” And so held in Lord Raymond, 738. 
Burn's Justice. — " So detrimental was 
this statute thought, that by 15 Car. II. all 
persons spinning or making cloth of hemp or 
flax, or nets for fishing, or storin or cordage, 
might exercise those trades without serving 
apprenticeships. And so iittle did the legis- 
lature, at subsequent periods, think that any 
benefit was to be derived from the statute 
of 5 Eliz. or that manufactures were made 
better, or improved by this restraint ; and 
the minds of men being more liberal, that 
trade should, as much as possible, be flung 
open ; it is enacted, by 6 and 7 W illiam III. 
that any apprentice discovering two per- 
sons guilty of coining, so as they are con- 
victed, shall be deemed a freeman, and may 
exercise his trade as if he had served out hiy 
time.” 
And, in order still stronger to shew how 
little the legislature esteemed the seven 
years binding ameliorated manufactures, it is 
enacted, by 3. George III. cap. 8, that “All 
officers, marines, and soldiers, who have 
been employed in his Majesty’s service, 
and not deserted, may exercise such trades 
as they are apt for, in any town or place.” 
So dangerous and fatal has been the evil 
of combinations and conspiracies among 
journeymen, that in particular instances, as 
in trades where many hands are required 
and very little skill, as dyeing, and such like, 
