Jewel Case Makers.—The apprenticeship for lining jewel cases is generally four years without premium. The first year the girls receive no salary; the second, 3s. a week; the third, 5s.; and the fourth year, 8s. weekly. The average wages after that time are from 18s. to 30s. a week, and work is very regular and certain, although the trade is small. For covering cases the apprenticeship is three years. Wages begin after the first six months, at 3s., rising until during the last six months of their time they receive 8s. a week. Their earnings afterwards are from 14s. to 22s. a week. The hours of work are from 8.30 till 8. Saturdays until 4.
Gold and Silver Burnishing.—Girls are apprenticed to this trade generally for three years, sometimes paying a small premium, sometimes none at all. They give their services for the first year, and are generally paid 3s. or 4s. a week the second; and from 8s. to 10s. the third. After that time their wages are from 14s. to 18s. a week, but a really good burnisher, if she could get sufficient gilt-work to do, would make as much as 25s. a week. The hours of work are from 9 till 8; an hour allowed for dinner, and half an hour for tea. They are expected to provide their own tools at a cost of from £3 to £5, but these will last a life-time, and improve by using.
Dentistry.—Manufacturing dentists employ girls in making false teeth. The wages are generally from 15s. to 18s. a week. An apprenticeship of from 18 months to two years is necessary, and the premium greatly depends upon the position of the dentist. Some are glad to teach girls simply for their services.
Map Mounting.—Mounting maps is tolerably easy work, and requires no special knowledge, only great care and neatness. Employment can be obtained from map-shops, and the wages are usually about 15s. a week.
Concertina Makers.—Manufacturers of concertinas employ girls at about 25s. a week wages. An apprenticeship of a year is necessary. The premium is £10 10s.
Addresses of manufacturers of all the things I have mentioned will be found in the Post Office Directory.
[CHAPTER VII.]
EMIGRATION.
Ladies who have never received any special training, and have neither time nor means to procure it, would probably do wisely to emigrate—that is to say, if they are domesticated and willing to be generally useful. In the colonies competition for situations is not nearly so great as in England, and consequently governesses, companions, mothers' helps, and housekeepers, are more valued, and usually treated quite as members of the family. I give particulars of two of the Emigration Societies. They gave me most encouraging accounts of the ladies who had emigrated under their auspices, and told me they thought any one, with ordinary good sense, and willing to work, landing in Australia or New Zealand with a few pounds in her pocket, would be sure to do well. They both strongly advise ladies who have friends in any one of the colonies to choose that one to go to, as private introductions are most valuable. Intending emigrants should acquire as thorough a knowledge of cookery, all kinds of needlework (including dressmaking), ironing, starching, &c., as they possibly can, it may prove very useful to them.