the views and add to the stock of processes. Besides the acknowledged advantages of all travelling, in an age when there was not much to prevent stagnation of trade, it contributed to lessen the number of hands where there were too many, and to furnish labour abroad when it became

scarce.

The system continues to be thought useful, although it is known to labour under some great disadvantages. It tends in many instances to produce roving habits, and affords great facilities for idleness and dissipation. I am therefore very far from recommending any such regular plan for our own country. But to a certain extent our mechanics might take the hint, and avail themselves of some of the advantages of travelling. I have known one carpenter who made a voyage to Europe for the express purpose of gaining new ideas in his business; and I see no reason why it should not be more common with the better class of workmen. Particularly in all that relates to architecture or other decorative arts, it would seem to be highly desirable that the adept should have fully before his mind's eye the greatest works in his own department. Sir John Soane, the son of a bricklayer, was an architect of great eminence, and derived much of his taste and skill from a visit of some years to Rome. But without crossing the seas, our enterprising artisans might contrive to know a little more about one another,

and to make short trips for health at the same time subservient to the progress of their arts. It has been very common for agriculturists to pursue this plan, as in the case of the noted Arthur Young: why should it not yield its fruits to the mechanic arts? If the young traveller were to keep a few memoranda of his more valuable observations, it would be a useful exercise for his mind, and would be useful in subsequent years. And if no objection can be raised against this but an indisposition to expend a few dollars, I can only say that this frugality would be much more wisely applied to other and less profitable indulgences. Before leaving this subject, I ought to remind my young readers, that in their journeys for pleasure or business, they may gain a large increase of knowledge from all the strangers into whose company they are thrown. Experience soon teaches the traveller, that there is no one from whom either amusement or information may not be extracted. "For ourselves," says Sir Walter Scott, "we can assure the reader-and perhaps if we have ever been able to afford him amusement, it is owing in a great degree to this cause-that we never found ourselves in company with the stupidest of all possible companions in a postchaise, or with the most arrant cumber-corner that ever occupied a place in the mail-coach, with out finding that, in the course of our conversation with him, we had some ideas suggested to us,

either grave or gay, or some information communicated in the course of our journey, which we should have regretted not to have learned, and which we should be sorry to have immediately forgotten."

10*

XVIII.

APPRENTICES.

"Ye masters, then,

Be mindful of the rough, laborious hand
That sinks you soft in elegance and ease;
Be mindful of those limbs in russet clad

Whose toil to yours is warmth and graceful pride."
THOMSON.

IF every thing is ever effectually done in this country, towards elevating the industrious classes to their due place in society, the work must begin with those who are in youth. In regard to mind, manners, or morals, we cannot expect very great improvement in those who have passed middle life our endeavours should be directed to the apprentice.

The relation of master and apprentice was a closer and a warmer one in former days. The lad was willing to allow that he had a master, for a certain time and a certain purpose, and in expectation of being one day a master himself. He thought this was no more disgraceful, than the subordination of the scholar to his teacher, or the soldier to his captain. And, in return, the employer felt a responsibility proportioned to his authority. Good men were accustomed to treat

their apprentices as their sons; they gave them many little instructions out of the line of the trade, and had an eye to their religious duties. It is unnecessary to say, that the state of things is very much altered. Insubordination, radicalism, and a false and impracticable theory of equal rights, have destroyed the gentle authority which used to exist. The whole affair of indentures, as my readers very well know, is in some places becoming a mere formality. It is less common than it used to be for boys to serve out their whole time. Many influences are at work to make lads impatient, and loth to continue in one place, however good. And when they abscond from their proper service, it is not every employer who now thinks it worth his while to take the legal measures for recovering their time. It is known to those who are conversant with mechanical establishments in our cities, that the old-fashioned system is found to be ineffectual; so that masterworkmen have to try new methods of getting the requisite amount of work from their hands. In some cases, this is effected by small remunerations for task-work. There are many shops in which there are no regular apprentices; the employers choosing rather to hire such labour as they can get. I have even heard the opinion expressed that the day is not far off when the whole system of apprenticeship will be thrown aside.

The spirit of our age and country is a spirit of restless hurry. We are for quick turns, short