The "custom-work" of such shops in country villages in England is like that in ours fifty years ago--embracing the greatest variety of jobs.

Articles now made with us in large manufacturing establishments at a price which would starve a master and his apprentice to compete with, are hammered out in these English shops on a single anvil.

On comparing notes with this knight of the hammer, I learned a fact I had not known before.

His price for horse-shoeing varied according to the size of the hoof, just as our leather-shoemakers charge according to the foot.

On taking leave of him he intimated, in the most frank and natural way in the world, that, in our exchange of information, the balance was in his favor, and that I could not but think it fair to pay him the difference.