The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-10-08
MR.. LANSING'S LETTER.
Observations on Boots and Shoes in
the Lynn Of England.
THE KNIGHTS OF ST. CRISPIN.
The Pay of shoemaikers and the Cost Of
Livinga-Lost Time for Holiday Weeks
Tenement House Shoes and Long
Hours.

is the Lynn of England. The making
Of boots and shoes is here at its best,
although common industry through
out Great Britain. The trip between
London and Northampton via Bedford
was devoid of interest, with the one ex-
ception. ] saw my 1rst parlor car in
England. The Midland road, under
stand, has several, which are objects of
curiosity TO the native people, rs they
are to be seen on no other road. II did,
at least, present an appearance OF home
travelling, and to me was welcome
sight.
Arriving in Northampton on Saturday
night, / enjoyed the opportunity of
seeing the large market place i'm full
swing Being situated somewhat in the
country gives TO the market place
constant fresh variety of fruit and
vegetables, which naturally attracts the
eye. Luscious, strawberries, large APP
pies, fresh green cabbage, caulifower
and kale, clean, small, attractive pota-
toes, green peas, and in fact all kinds of
garden produce are here in abundance.
One may purchase with the knowledge
in most cases that all is fresh. These
market places are generally near the
centre of the town in large square
about which the main buildings are
grouped. Invariably in asking a ques-
tion regarding direction to q certain
place, you will be instructed to start
from the market place.
Not only is produce sold In these
places, but some have periodical stands,
auction sales, the inevitable old iron
stands, boots and shoes and the like, so
the purchaser may procure nearly any
thing required within stones throw.
i write in particular regarding these
market places as they are a very import
ant feature in every town. Even small
villages are not complete without them.
Northampton has n population in the
neighborhood of 10000 and is rather an
tique, in point of building and customs,
Probably the church OF st. Sepulchre is |
the most interesting TO the traveller. 1t |
is one Of the very few round churches in |
England, and was built during the fore |
portion of the 18th century.
Upon entering one is Immediately |
struck with the apparent size Of the
church, 1t appearing very small on ac-
count OF the large supporting pillars,
but the sides being taken into consider |
alton, il nearer resembles that which it |
is intended for, and assumes more nat
ural proportions. Another interesting
curiosity may be seen by a walk into |
the country, in the form of Queen
Eleanor's Cross, which is considered the |
best preserved OF those erected by Ed |
ward l., In commemoration of the diff |
ferent spots whereon the body of his
wife rested, on the way to the inter-
al fvf,fY
sidering the time erected IL is indeed in
a good state OF preservation, still it
shows in many ways, the no Qentler
hand of time, with the cross arm broken
off and its somewhat porous appearances
Let us now to the task of finding how
our boot and shoe worknen are getting
along. There are two branches Co which |
particularly desire to call your atten-
ton. First. the cliclSers and press.
men," They are at present struggling
for an advance. The present wages re.
ceived for first-class labor is from 81 TO
SOs. a week CASA TO $500. These
wages are for week Of from 81 TO ~
hours, day work, divided as follows
1880 to $50 five days in the week and
1880 to Saturday. In winter naturally
the days are shorter and wages likewise
smaller. Deduct also, one week. Christ
mas; one week, Easter; one week.
Whitsuntide one week, Bank HOLIDAY.
and numberless other holidays and shnt.
downs tquite often) on account of slack
ness In trade, and you can easily see
considerable economy would be neces- |
eary for man to support himself. Yon
can also see that when man has n wife
and children il becomes necessary 70 set
them at work just as soon as possibla
Now word regarding apprentices.
In beginning they receive from tod
shillings per week (4S to 90 cents). grad
ually increasing, according to profici.
ency, averaging 3 shilling az cents) and
others 2 shillings ($l.6S). About the
time these boys reach their majority
they receive, that is the best of them
13 shillings N3.12). 1t is q singular fact
that parents in this branch of the in.
dustry do not as rule apprentice their
children TO it, but prefer them to be-
come clerks or tradesmen. The lasters
and hnishers are another branch of the
boot and shoe industry. The average
wages received by first-class men is 30
shillings $5.32). A considerable portion
of this work, particularly the finishing.
IS carried on in small workshops adjoin,
ing tenements, similar to Bromsgroye.
and the family may labor as many hours
as they see fit. In many Of the streets
poverty is on every hand. for il is plain
3 little ductation in the price of shoes
affects seriously number of thousand
dependent for their bread upon this in.
iustry.
The average cost of four-room tepe-
ment (smalD, common with these people.
Is 6s. and 6s. 3d., 81 "A TO Al. SO per week
VI course. there are better, many with
little garden. ETC., but the average
would remain the same. Now for the
usual price list, just as fair an estimate
rs any one could procure. Remember
we are now again travelling through the
FARMING country, both here and AT
and Sheffield.
Article. England .ro..,..
Butter 1s& IL a "a "a "a os.
Flour IL 6d per stone aas tsIh