of Rome, Pompeii, London, Bath, and York, as worthy monuments of the ancient dignity of the art.

Five hundred years ago English plumbing had been well established, for we find in 1365 an ordinance of King Edward III., followed by others of Henry VII., Henry VIII., and Elizabeth, conferring privileges and legislating for the protection of the mutual interests of the public and of the craft.

If the dignity of the craft, founded on so ancient and honourable a basis in the memory of past ages, is to be once again upheld, it must be restored and maintained by the honest determination of modern plumbers to emulate their ancestors in good work, and by honourable labour to excel them, if they can, both in knowledge and in skill.

Each and every member of the plumbing craft, whether employer, foreman, journeyman, or apprentice, should seek to gain increased knowledge and experience in the science underlying his practice.

The stimulating encouragement and the fostering care displayed towards the plumbing craft throughout this kingdom by the City and Guilds of London Institute, in conjunction with the London Guild of Plumbers, deserve to be remembered with respect, and to be taken full advantage of with energy and perseverance.

Many of the City of London Guilds, which in olden times represented and controlled particular trades, are now only nominally connected with them, but the Worshipful Guild of Plumbers claims to be closely identified with the interests of the craft-many practical plumbers are liverymen of the company-so that it forms a rallying-point round which the trade can assemble for counsel and strength in difficulty or trouble.

The Plumbers' Company traces back its ordinances to the fourteenth century, and as the history of plumbing should

form a part of the technical education of plumbers, for the purpose of inciting students to attain excellence in their handicraft, the translation of these ancient ordinances from the Norman-French language used at that time is here given as recently republished by the Plumbers' Company :

38 Edward III., A.D. 1365.

Letter Book E. (NormanFrench.)

"May it please the honourable men and wise, the Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen of the City of London, to grant unto the Plumbers of the same City the points that here follow :

:

"In the first place, that no one of the trade of Plumbers shall meddle with works touching such trade within the said City, or take house or apprentices, or other workmen, in the same, if he be not free of the City; and that, by assent of the best and most skilled men in the said trade, testifying that he knows how well and lawfully to work, and to do his work; that so the said trade may not be scandalised, or the commonalty damaged and deceived, by folks who do not know their trade.

"Also that no one of the said trade shall take an apprentice for less than seven years; and that he shall have him enrolled within the first year, and at the end of his term shall make him take up his freedom, according to the usage of the said City.

"Also, that every one of the trade shall do his work well and lawfully, and shall use lawful weights, as well in selling as in buying, without any deceit or evil intent against any one; and that for working a clove of lead for gutters, or for roofs of houses, he shall only take one halfpenny; and for working a clove for furnaces, tappetroghes, belfreys, and conduit pipes, one penny; and for the waste

of a wey of lead when newly molten [he shall have an allowance of two cloves], as has been the usage heretofore.

"Also, that no one for singular profit shall engross lead coming to the said City for sale, to the damage of the commonalty; but that all persons of the said trade, as well poor as rich, who may wish, shall be partners therein at their desire. And that no one, himself or by another, shall buy old lead that is on sale, or shall be, within the said City or without, to sell it again to the folks of the same trade, and enhance the price of lead, to the damage of the commonalty.

Also, that no one of the said trade shall buy stripped lead of the assistants to tilers, laggers, or masons, or of women who cannot find warranty for the same. And if any shall do so, himself or by his servants, or if any one of them be found stealing lead, tin, or nails, in the place where he works, he shall be ousted from the said trade for ever, at the will and ordinance of the good folks of such trade.

Also, that no one of the said trade shall oust another from his work undertaken or begun, or shall take away his customers or his employers to his damage, by enticement through carpenters, masons, tilers, or other persons, as he would answer for the damage so inflicted, by good consideration of the masters of the said trade.

"And if any one shall be found guilty under any one of the articles aforesaid, let him pay to the Chamber of the Guildhall, in London, for the first offence, 40 pence; for the second, half a mark; for the third, 20 shillings; and for the fourth, 10 pounds, or else forswear the trade."

Plumbers have nothing to gain by denying that their craft has in some points fallen away since those ancient ordinances were in force, but they may admit the fact with courage and hope, because they have determined to do all in their power to remedy shortcomings, and, by employing

the lever of united effort and using as a willing fulcrum the Guild of Plumbers, they may hope, like Archimedes, to move the world.

In order that all plumbers may be strong and of good courage, it is well to realise that by the revived trade action of the Plumbers' Guild they have now an acknowledged head to a body of united craftsmen. The Plumbers' Company, in 1885, promoted and presided over a National Congress of Plumbers, when the status and condition of the plumbing craft was duly considered, together with the various means suggested for remedying abuses and elevating the craft, both in the interest of the plumbers themselves and of the public. The Court of the Plumbers' Guild seconded and supported every effort made. The Congress was unanimous in requesting the Plumbers' Company to take all necessary action for carrying the movement to a successful issue, acknowledging the Plumbers' Company as the proper head of the trade, and formally charging upon the Plumbers' Guild the responsibility of the guardianship of the craft.

The following resolutions were adopted :

"1. That experience points to the necessity for more closely particularising plumbing and draining work in agreements and specifications for buildings, treating such work in all cases as a separate item, in order that plumbers may be directly responsible for the quality of their work.

"2. That an extension of the existing system of technical instruction for plumbers is necessary, in order to compensate for the unsatisfactory apprenticeship now prevalent.

"3. That a system of registration of qualified plumbers, masters and journeymen, should be established.

4. That a generally acceptable standard of quality for plumbers' materials should be fixed.

"5. That all plumbing and draining work in new build

ings should be approved by a suitable local authority and inspected under Building Acts and by-laws."

As the measures of reform thus recommended might affect public regulations and various existing interests, a representative Standing Council was elected, representative not only of plumbers, but of the building and other associated trades, and also of architects, engineers, and other professions immediately connected with plumbing, and this Council has since succeeded in carrying many of the resolutions of the Congress, especially the national registration of plumbers, into practical effect.

All who are plumbers, or who desire to become plumbers, should aspire to a thorough knowledge of the craft; not merely to be able to wipe a solder joint-which, by the way, many plumbers are not able to do well-but to be competent to do all that a modern sanitary plumber ought to do, to know all that a modern sanitary plumber ought to know.

There is a certain dignity in the plumber's trade. In that trade there is scope for highly intelligent skill and for manly character. The power of the arms and hands, the power of the mind and will, and the power of conscience may all be called into active service; and as each power grows stronger by exercise the more ennobled is the work done, and also the artisan who does it.

Every journeyman plumber should seek to perfect his skill in the handicraft of plumbing and his knowledge of the art and science of plumbing; he should also be, in his conduct and principles, a conscientious man, with whom every one of any rank can deal, as respectable and honest men can deal with one another, in mutual respect and mutual confidence.

A brotherly, helpful feeling should also be cultivated. The plumber's craft should be a brotherhood, in which every member should be ready to share his knowledge, experience,