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which time he had reached his twenty…first year； William Fairbairn
shortly after determined to go forth into the world in search of
experience。 At Newcastle he found employment as a millwright for a
few weeks； during which he worked at the erection of a sawmill in the
Close。 From thence he went to Bedlington at an advanced wage。 He
remained there for six months； during which he was so fortunate as to
make the acquaintance of Miss Mar； who five years after； when his
wanderings had ceased； became his wife。 On the completion of the job
on which he had been employed； our engineer prepared to make another
change。 Work was difficult to be had in the North； and； joined by a
comrade； he resolved to try his fortune in London。 Adopting the
cheapest route； he took passage by a Shields collier； in which he
sailed for the Thames on the 11th of December； 1811。 It was then
war…time； and the vessel was very short…handed； the crew consisting
only of three old men and three boys； with the skipper and mate； so
that the vessel was no sooner fairly at sea than both the passenger
youths had to lend a hand in working her； and this continued for the
greater part of the voyage。 The weather was very rough； and in
consequence of the captain's anxiety to avoid privateers he hugged
the shore too close； and when navigating the inside passage of the
Swin； between Yarmouth and the Nore； the vessel very narrowly escaped
shipwreck。 After beating about along shore； the captain half drunk
the greater part of the time； the vessel at last reached the Thames
with loss of spars and an anchor； after a tedious voyage of fourteen
days。
On arriving off Blackwall the captain went ashore ostensibly in
search of the Coal Exchange； taking our young engineer with him。 The
former was still under the influence of drink； and though he failed
to reach the Exchange that night； he succeeded in reaching a public
house in Wapping； beyond which he could not be got。 At ten o'clock
the two started on their return to the ship； but the captain took the
opportunity of the darkness to separate from his companion； and did
not reach the ship until next morning。 It afterwards came out that he
had been taken up and lodged in the watch…house。 The youth； left
alone in the streets of the strange city； felt himself in an awkward
dilemma。 He asked the next watchman he met to recommend him to a
lodging； on which the man took him to a house in New Gravel Lane；
where he succeeded in finding accommodation。 What was his horror next
morning to learn that a whole familythe Williamsonshad been
murdered in the very next house during the night！ Making the best of
his way back to the ship； he found that his comrade； who had suffered
dreadfully from sea…sickness during the voyage； had nearly recovered；
and was able to accompany him into the City in search of work。 They
had between them a sum of only about eight pounds； so that it was
necessary for them to take immediate steps to obtain employment。
They thought themselves fortunate in getting the promise of a job
from Mr。 Rennie； the celebrated engineer； whose works were situated
at the south end of Blackfriars Bridge。 Mr。 Rennie sent the two young
men to his foreman； with the request that he should set them to work。
The foreman referred them to the secretary of the Millwrights'
Society； the shop being filled with Union men； who set their
shoulders together to exclude those of their own grade； however
skilled； who could not produce evidence that they had complied with
the rules of the trade。 Describing his first experience of London
Unionists； nearly half a century later； before an assembly of working
men at Derby； Mr。 Fairbairn said； 〃When I first entered London； a
young man from the country had no chance whatever of success； in
consequence of the trade guilds and unions。 I had no difficulty in
finding employment； but before I could begin work I had to run the
gauntlet of the trade societies； and after dancing attendance for
nearly six weeks； with very little money in my pocket； and having to
'box Harry' all the time； I was ultimately declared illegitimate； and
sent adrift to seek my fortune elsewhere。 There were then three
millwright societies in London： one called the Old Society； another
the New Society； and a third the Independent Society。 These societies
were not founded for the protection of the trade； but for the
maintenance of high wages； and for the exclusion of all those who
could not assert their claims to work in London and other corporate
towns。 Laws of a most arbitrary character were enforced； and they
were governed by cliques of self…appointed officers； who never failed
to take care of their own interests。〃*
＇footnote。。。
Useful Information for Engineers； 2nd series； 1860； p。 211。
。。。＇
Their first application for leave to work in London having thus
disastrously ended； the two youths determined to try their fortune in
the country； and with aching hearts they started next morning before
daylight。 Their hopes had been suddenly crushed； their slender funds
were nearly exhausted； and they scarce knew where to turn。 But they
set their faces bravely northward； and pushed along the high road；
through slush and snow； as far as Hertford； which they reached after
nearly eight hours' walking； on the moderate fare during their
journey of a penny roll and a pint of ale each。 Though wet to the
skin； they immediately sought out a master millwright； and applied
for work。 He said he had no job vacant at present； but； seeing their
sorry plight； he had compassion upon them； and said； 〃Though I cannot
give you employment； you seem to be two nice lads；〃 and he concluded
by offering Fairbairn a half…crown。 But his proud spirit revolted at
taking money which he had not earned； and he declined the proffered
gift with thanks； saying he was sorry they could not have work。 He
then turned away from the door； on which his companion； mortified by
his refusal to accept the half…crown at a time when they were reduced
almost to their last penny； broke out in bitter remonstrances and
regrets。 Weary； wet； and disheartened； the two turned into Hertford
churchyard； and rested for a while upon a tombstone； Fairbairn's
companion relieving himself by a good cry； and occasional angry
outbursts of 〃Why didn't you take the half…crown？〃 〃Come； come； man！〃
said Fairbairn； 〃it's of no use crying； cheer up； let's try another
road； something must soon cast up。〃 They rose； and set out again； but
when they reached the bridge； the dispirited youth again broke down；
and； leaning his back against the parapet； said； 〃I winna gang a bit
further； let's get back to London。〃 Against this Fairbairn
remonstrated； saying 〃It's of no use lamenting； we must try what we
can do here； if the worst comes to the worst； we can 'list； you are a
strong chapthey'll soon take you； and as for me； I'll join too； I
think I could fight a bit。〃 After this council of wa