The Charlotte Democrat., 1888-11-09
Trade Apprenticeship for Boys. :

A basis for criticism of the conditions +
OF modern life 10 found in the unwilling.
ness OF young men to learn trades. Some
element OF social degradation seems to be
found in the use of the hands; pure brain
work is the coveted goal of the many.
1t is pleasing to note that this prejudice
meets with enlightened opposition. For
generations past the sons of the German
emperors have learned some mechanical
trade. In the library of the late Emperor
William at Potsdam, visitors are shown o
chair made by him when e youth, for his
father
The sons of John Bright, the famous
English parliamentarian, set a good ex-
ample to the rising generation. Their
training is thus set forth by the Christian
at work:
"Philip Bright, desiring to become Q
first class machinist, served regular
course IN Petrie's iron foundry, to which
he carried his breakfast-cau like other
plain workmen, and in which he put him.
self on a par with other honest hands, act.
ing as naturally az If be was one of them
himself. His brothers-Leathem, now
member of Parliament, and John Albert
were put through the drills at the mills on
the principle that they too must undergo
their share of the work like other people.
Such an example of common sense aud
democratic equality is in the highest de-:
gree commendable. The great problem
of the future will be to uoite education
and manual labor. Many persons ssemte
imagine that they are forever inconsistent
and antagonistic, and that, therefore, the
public schools are training young men, TO
live by their wits rather, than by usafnl
and productive trades. Whether, the
| head and the hand can be cultivated at
the same time, and in a happy proportion
remains to be seen. John Bright's. soRs
would by their example indicate that they
Gao, bot then they are capitalists as, we'll
as laborers." ,,ias,..'+, -; -
Another instance within the experience
of the writer will serve, to- still further
point the moral. Over twenty years ago.,
very early one morning, be, met . boy. Of
II or ls years of age hurryipg, through
the street, dinner pail in hand, accoutered
as workman. Hs was recognized az the
son of an acquaintance. Curious,to know.
what brought him out in such gpise al 90
early an hour, the writer stopped him.
and inquired whittier he was bound. The
boy assumed look of manly pride as, be.
announced that he was going to work at
the Morgan Iron Works as regular APP
prentice. The foreman, he added. was
very exacting with the apprentices and
required them to begin their work on
time with the journeymen. The father,
who had sent the young man to take his
place among the three or four hundred
apprentices employed q: the once famous
works, acted with wisdom which was
proved by the course of events. He isI
now connected with one Of the most iufu-
ential and successful daily papers Of this
country. The son to-day is in full charge
of the mechanical department of the busi-
ness, and is qualified by his training at
the old Morgan works not only to take
charge of the complicated machinery of
the modern press room, but also to pass
an enlightened judgment on improve-
ments in art, and has himself invented q
number of valuable improvements in the
printing press. He can not regret his
long days of apprenticeship, and it is not
too much to say that it is they which
have won for himself his truly honorable
and useful position, one which the con-
slant sense of usefulness and competence
must make doubly dear to him Scien.
tifc american. III yife sid