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TIIE METHOD OF HIRING SHOEING-SMITHS. 1G9 
I 
the character of an errand boy, or a common groom, yet take 
upon trust that of a journeyman, for whom we are compelled, in 
some degree, to be answerable with our professional credit, and 
to whom such valuable property is confided. 
Shoeing a horse is an operation often of so much delicacy, and 
involving such important consequences to the owner, that 1 do not 
think we are justified in carelessly engaging a half drunken or 
inexpert workman, and be satisfied if he gets through his day’s 
work. 
It may be said, “Oh, these things correct themselves; lean 
soon find out if a fellow is a bad one, and I discharge him.” 
Y r ery well; but considerable time may elapse, where many men 
are kept, before you do find it out, and mischief may be done. 
Would it not have been much better to have known the man’s 
character at first ? As to discharging him, that is the very thing 
to which I object, inasmuch as you do not prevent his going to 
work somewhere else on the credit of your respectability; and his 
knowledge of this is an encouragement to misbehaviour. 
So self-evident, indeed, is the advantage accruing from this 
simple measure, that I do hope a few of our leading practitioners 
will make it general by their adoption. 
It is probable that in some instances proper inquiry may have 
been instituted by others as well as myself; but in the great ma¬ 
jority of cases they are taken without warranty , and experience 
too frequently proves them not free from vice . 
This neglect must have originated, I apprehend, in the dif¬ 
ference of feeling which formerly prevailed * between the veteri¬ 
narian and ancient farrier, who, besides, as he commonly worked 
along with his men, had a better chance of guarding his own in¬ 
terest. As to the feeling alluded to, I hope it has wholly ceased 
to exist, or, at least, that such inquiries would be mutually 
answered with perfect candour. 
VY e should soon, I am persuaded, see a change in the character 
of shoeing-smiths, since bad conduct would diminish their chances 
of future employment, and a disposition, or rather a necessity to 
obey instructions and learn their trade well would take place of 
the self-sufficiency which is now their characteristic quality. 
iSot to be too prolix on a subject of such obvious advantage to us, 
I have only to apologize to the profession for taking up this 
matter for the first time publicly : I should have preferred 
seconding the motion had it been made by another; but I now 
appeal to them for support in it, and doubt not that the measure 
will meet with your editorial approbation. 
As it frequently happens, in these cases, that a measure fails 
for want of concert, unanimity, and perseverance, the writer pro- 
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