the order system in America. Here the manufacturer set up a grocery, provision, or beer-shop, frequently on his own premises, and paid the nail-makers in his own "spurious coin," or in articles on which he charged a profit up to the uncertain limitations of his own conscience. Parliament has endeavoured to put a stop to this practice; but it is difficult to suppress it in another form. Small dealers, "on their own hook," continue to intercept the nailers' small earnings, by taking advantage of their pressing necessities. A writer thoroughly acquainted with their present condition and habits, states that "Numerous workmen prefer to sell their nails at the truck-shop every day, and in many instances at every meal. It is a well-known fact that, at present, more than one-half of the handmade nails are paid for in 'truck;' but such nails are of very inferior quality, thereby injuring the prestige of the English hand-made nails in foreign markets."
As no one can know the operation of this truck system better than a nailer himself. I subjoin an extract from a letter written by one of the craft on the subject. It will serve as a good average specimen of their literary ability as well as a statement of the grievance; and as such it is given literatim.
"The question will naturally be asked what is the cause of all this Poverty and Distress in the Trade. I answer to a vast extent
