Paul De Rousiers

Paul De Rousiers

​Paul De Rousiers (1857-1934) published ‘The Labour Question’ in 1896. A French sociologist was a captivating find. The book is a study of England and Scotland's evolution of the industry, the first chapter is a study of “the labour question in small workshops.“ with a Birmingham Tool-maker. Below is the opening extract from the first chapter:

My first interview with Joseph Brown was brought about by a curious coincidence. I had in- formed my Birmingham friends of my wish to enter into personal relations with a workman belonging to one of the small workshops still so numerous in that town. One evening the mis- tress of the house said to me, " I think I have found what you want. My nurse has a brother who has a little forge, where he makes various tools — ^pincers, hammers, etc. ; she has spoken of you at my request, and he is quite willing to receive you, and to give you any information you may need." Next day I took he Nechells omnibus to Carlton Street. I found a gate on which was painted the name Ca/rUon Works. Entering, I found myself under a porch look- ing into a long narrow court, at the bottom of which was a small building two storeys high, whose blackened walls were illuminated by the red glare of a forge. Thither I directed my steps, and as I crossed the threshold a Little man who was hammering on the anvil stopped his work and came towards ma "Mr. Joseph Brown?" "Yes?" "I have come from your sister, Mrs. D 's nurse." " You are the gentleman, then, of whom she spoke?" "I am." The little man wiped his forehead, on which the sweat stood in great beads, put on his jacket, and was ready to let me see his establishment. He was, in fact, at home, for the workshop, the other buildings surrounding the court, the shop which bounded one side of the porch, the neat, well- cared-for dwelling, the little bit of garden with its walls covered by creepers, were all his own property. All this he had built and organised, and had earned it all too. " I have never had a penny fit)m anybody," he said ; " neither from my own parents nor from my wife'a" My first impression was that the trade was a good one, and afforded a good living.