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First, the wages of labour vary with the ease or hardship, the

cleanliness or dirtiness, the honourableness or

dishonourableness, of the employment. Thus in most places, take

the year round, a journeyman tailor earns less than a journeyman

weaver. His work is much easier. A journeyman weaver earns less

than a journeyman smith. His work is not always easier, but it is

much cleanlier. A journeyman blacksmith, though an artificer,

seldom earns so much in twelve hours, as a collier, who is only a

labourer, does in eight. His work is not quite so dirty, is less

dangerous, and is carried on in day-light, and above ground.

Honour makes a great part of the reward of all honourable

professions. In point of pecuniary gain, all things considered,

they are generally under-recompensed, as I shall endeavour to

shew by and by. Disgrace has the contrary effect. The trade of a

butcher is a brutal and an odious business; but it is in most

places more profitable than the greater part of common trades.