Страница 259 из 2651

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.