ing-saws, my contraband
speculation, and for which I ultimately obtained about twenty francs.
What was of more importance, in less than a week from our arrival in
Paris I commenced work at the modest remuneration of four francs and a
half, three shillings and ninepence, a day. My two companions were
scarcely so fortunate, but lingered on for a week or two without
employment.

I found myself in a motley company; at one time our atelier contained
three Russians, two Germans, two Englishmen, an Italian, and a Frenchman;
and sometimes a simple inquiry would have to pass through four languages
before it received its answer. I did not remain long amid this babel,
although long enough to be offered six francs a day to remain. I never
afterwards worked for a less rate of remuneration than six francs a day,
but never succeeded in obtaining a sous more. I had many "Patrons" in
Paris. In one establishment there were three workmen continually
employed in making crosses of honour, in gold and silver, to reward the
merit, or to purchase the affection and support, of the French people. I
was variously employed: in gold work; in setting small rose-diamonds; and
upon the most costly brilliant ornaments. Sometimes idling upon three
days a week, or totally unemployed; at other times slaving night and day,
Sunday and all, to complete some urgent order. I have worked nineteen
days in a fortnight.

I have endeavoured to give some details with regard to the manner of
living, working, and lodging, among the labouring population of Paris,
under the head of "THE FRENCH WORKMAN;" and which details were in most
part personal, or such as I had learned from actual experience. My
business here is with results, and I will condense them into as few words
as possible. I stayed in all one year and five months in Paris, during
the whole of which period I was never out of a situation, although at
various times but scantily provided with employment. I received in wages
a total of two thousand three hundred and one francs, thirteen sous, or
ninety-two pounds two shillings and twopence-halfpenny. This would give
an average receipt, upon the seventy-one weeks of my stay, of one pound
three shillings and three-halfpence a week. I have said that during the
greater part of this time I earned at the rate of six francs, or five
shillings a day; if I now give the current expenses per week, a
comparison may from these data be drawn as to the comparative