“I’ve known deal-portering for twenty years back, and then, at the
Commercial Dock, men was paid in a public-house, and there was a good
deal of drunkenness. The men weren’t compelled to drink, but was
expected to. In that point it’s far better now. When I was first a deal
porter I could make half as much more as I do now. I don’t complain
of any body about the dock; it ain’t their fault; but I do complain
uncommon about the times, there’s so little work and so many to snap at
it.”