CHAPTER VII. HENRY MAUDSLEY, LONDON.

The chief object of my ambition was now to be taken on at Henry Maudsley's works in London. I had heard so much of his engineering work, of his assortment of machine-making tools, and of the admirable organisation of his manufactory, that I longed to obtain employment there. I was willing to labour, in however humble a capacity, in that far-famed workshop.

I was aware that my father had not the means of paying the large premium required for placing me as an apprentice at Maudsley's firm. I was also informed that Maudsley had ceased to take pupils. After experience, he found that the premium apprentices caused him much annoyance and irrita tion. They came in "gloves;" their attendance was irregular; they spread a bad example amongst the regular apprentices and workmen ; and on the whole they wrere found to be very disturbing elements in the work of the factory.