==> The first number of 'Fors Clavigera' for the year 1873 will
be published (I hope) on 1st January next, and in the course of that
month the Index to the two first volumes, for the years 1871, 1872,
as an extra number, which will be sent gratis to subscribers to the
complete work.
Subscriptions to the St. George's Fund have been sent to me to the
amount of 104l. 1s. I have therefore sent a cheque for 100l. to be
added to the fund accumulating in the hands of the trustees.
I think it inexpedient at present to give the names of my--not
numerous--subscribers. Each of them knows his or her number in the
subjoined list:--
£ s. d.
1. Annual, 4l. (1871, 1872) 8 0 0
2. Annual, 20l. (1871, 1872) 40 0 0
3. Gift (1871) 5 0 0
4. Gift (1872) 30 0 0
5. Gift (1872) 20 0 0
6. Annual (1872) 1 1 0
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£104 1 0
It is a beginning. We shall get on in time--better than some companies
that have started with large capital.
The following cry of distress, from a bookseller of the most
extended experience, has lain all this year by me, till I could find
opportunity, which has not come, for commending its sound common sense
in relation to several matters besides what it immediately touches
on. It must stand on its own worth now, and is well able to do so.
"February 28th, 1872.
"It is often a question of considerable embarrassment for parents to
know what to do with their children, and to place them in such a manner
in a trade or profession as would best fit their talents and aptitudes.
"Notions of 'gentility' induce too many parents to bring up their
sons for professions or the Civil Service, and their daughters for
a status which they are unlikely to attain.
"I will say here only a few words to parents of the humbler
classes:--Do not be allured by advertisements into seeking for
your sons appointments as clerks in offices where a boy starts
at once with a salary and short hours of business. Rely upon it,
these tempting offers lead to poor prospects; hence has arisen the
superabundant supply of 'genteel clerks,' and the deficient supply of
good mechanics. It is much to be regretted that the former practice
of apprenticeship has fallen so much out of use. Better mechanics
were certainly thus formed.
"There is one mechanical trade with which I am especially connected,
viz., that of bookbinding. I regret to say, that an extreme difficulty
exists to obtain intelligent and willing men to do the work which
is ready to be given out. I ascribe this largely to a defective
education of our youth. There is too much conceit amongst parents
and their children as to their future in life, too much uniformity
of thought, and by far too little exertion and preparation for the
struggles of existence. Walking-sticks, meerschaum-pipes, and cheap
sensational journals are found in the hands of strutting youngsters,
who ought to be modestly attired, and who ought earnestly to prepare
themselves for their future career.
"In mentioning such a trade as bookbinding, I wish to convey that it is
not the heavy and idle who are wanted, but the hardy and intelligent
boys; and the better they are educated, the better are their future
chances of success in life.
"Being very much hampered in my pursuit as a bookseller by the want of
proper execution in the binding and furbishing of books, I can speak
decidedly to the fact that there is ample room for many more labourers
in that interesting trade. Intelligence, honesty, and physical strength
are required in starting a youth in every business; and when parents
have prepared their children with these qualifications, a successful
career in the bookbinding trade may be safely guaranteed.
"It is painful to me, and must be equally unpleasant to all owners
of libraries, to suffer constantly from the protracted delays caused
by the deficiency of good workmen in the binding business.
"Those curses of modern society, [42] 'Trades' Unions,' on one side,
and absurd notions of gentility on the other, are doing each their
share of harm in keeping down the supply of new hands.
"I repeat--more hands, 'with heads,' are wanted in the bookbinding
trade. This is a cry of distress from a bookseller whose business
is injured owing to the delays and the inefficiency of the existing
binders and their workmen."