第 12 节
作者:
朝令夕改 更新:2021-02-21 11:23 字数:9321
They were at first merely furnished with a wheel; which they turned for several days with the foot; without being permitted to attempt any thing further。 As soon as they were become dexterous in the simple operation; and habit had made it so easy and familiar to them that the foot could continue its motion mechanically; without the assistance of the head;till they could go on with their work; even though their attention was employed upon something else;till they could answer questions; and converse freely with those about them upon indifferent subjects; without interrupting or embarrassing the regular motion of the wheel; then;and not till then;they were furnished with hemp or flax; and were taught to spin。
When they had arrived at a certain degree of dexterity in spinning hemp and flax; they were put to spinning of wool; and this was always represented to them; and considered by them; as an honorable promotion。 Upon this occasion they commonly received some public reward; a new shirt;a pair of shoes; or perhaps the uniform of the establishment; as an encouragement to them to persevere in their industrious habits。
As constant application to any occupation for too great a length of time is apt to produce disgust; and in children might even be detrimental to health; beside the hour of dinner; an hour of relaxation from work; (from eight o'clock till nine;) in the forenoon; and another hour; (from three o'clock till four;) in the afternoon; were allowed them; and these two hours were spent in a school; which; for want of room elsewhere in the house; was kept in the dining…hall; where they were taught reading; writing; and arithmetic; by a school…master engaged and paid for that purpose'11'。 Into this school other persons who worked in the house; of a more advanced age; were admitted; if they requested it; but few grown persons seemed desirous of availing themselves of this permission。 As to the children; they had no choice in the matter; those who belonged to the establishment were obliged to attend the school regularly every day; morning and evening。 The school books; paper; pens; and ink; were furnished at the expence of the establishment。
To distinguish those among the grown persons that worked in the house; who showed the greatest dexterity and industry in the different manufactures in which they were employed; the best workman were separated from the others; and formed distinct classes; and were even assigned separate rooms and apartments。 This separation was productive of many advantages; for; beside the spirit of emulation which it excited; and kept alive; in every part of the establishment; if afforded an opportunity of carrying on the different manufactures in a very advantageous manner。 The most dexterous among the wool…spinners; for instance; were naturally employed upon the finest wool; such as was used in the fabrication of the finest and most valuable goods; and it was very necessary that these spinners should be separated from the others; who worked upon coarser materials; otherwise; in the manipulations of the wool; as particles of it are unavoidably dispersed about in all directions when it is spun; the coarser particles thus mixing with the fine would greatly injure the manufacture。 It was likewise necessary; for a similar reason; to separate the spinners who were employed in spinning wool of different colours。 But as these; and many other like precautions are well known to all manufacturers; it is not necessary that I should insist upon them any farther in this place; nor indeed is it necessary that I should enter into all the details of any of the manufactures carried on in the establishment I am describing。 It will be quite sufficient; if I merely enumerate them; and others; who were employed in carrying them on。
In treating this subject it will however be necessary to go back a little; and give a more particular account of the internal governments of this establishment; and first of all I must observe; that the government of the Military Work…house; as it is called; is quite distinct from the government of the institution for the poor; the Work…house being merely a manufactory; like any other manufactory; supported upon its own private capital; which capital has no connection whatever with any fund destined for the poor。 It is under the sole direction of its own particular governors and overseers; and is carried on at the sole risk of the owner。 The institution for the poor; on the other hand; is merely an institution of charity; joined to a general direction of the police; as far as it relates to paupers。 The committee; or deputation; as it is called; which is at the head of this institution; has the sole direction of all funds destined for the relief of the poor in Munich; and the distribution of alms。 This deputation has likewise the direction of the kitchen; and bake…house; which are established in the Military Work…house; and of the details relative to the feeding of the poor; for it is from the funds destined for the relief of the poor that these expences are defrayed: the deputation is also in connection with the Military Work…house relative to the clothing of the poor; and the distribution of rewards to those of them who particularly distinguished themselves by their good behaviour and their industry; but this is merely a mercantile correspondence。 The deputation has no right to interfere in any way whatever in the internal management of this establishment; considered as a manufactory。 In this respect it is to all intents and purposes a perfectly distinct and independent establishment。 But notwithstanding this; the two establishments are so dependent on each other in many respects; that neither of them could well subsist alone。
The Military Work…house being principally designed as a manufactory for clothing the army; its capital; which at first consisted in about 150;000 florins; but which has since increased to above 250;000 florins; was advanced by the military chest; and hence it is; that it was called the Military Work…house; and put under the direction of the council of war。
For the internal management of the establishment; a special commission was named; consisting of; one counsellor of war; of the department of military economy; or of the clothing of the army;one captain; which last is inspector of the house; and has apartments in it; where he lodges; and the store…keeper of the magazine of military clothing。
These commissioners; who have the magazine of military clothing at the same time under their direction; have; under my immediate superintendence; the sole government and direction of this establishment;of all the inferior officers;servants; manufacturers;and workmen; belonging to it; and of all mercantile operations;contracts; purchases;sales;; etc。 And it is with these commissioners that the regiments correspond; in order to be furnished with clothing; and other necessaries; and into their hands they pay the amount of the different articles received。
The cash belonging to this establishment is placed in a chest furnished with three separate locks; of one of which each of the commissioners are jointly; and severally; answerable for the contents of the chest。
These commissioners hold their sessions regularly twice a week; or oftener if circumstances require it; in a room in the Military Work…house destined for that purpose; where the correspondence; and all accounts and documents belonging to the establishment; and other records; are kept; and where the secretary of the commission constantly attends。
When very large contracts are made for the purchase of raw materials; particularly when they are made with foreigners; the conditions are first submitted by the commissioners to the council of war for their approbation; but in all concerns of less moment; and particularly in all the current business of the establishment;in the ordinary purchases;sales;and other mercantile transactions; the commissioners act by their own immediate authority: but all the transactions of the commissioners BEING ENTERED REGULARLY IN THEIR JOURNALS; and the most particular account of all sales; and purchases; and other receipts and expenditures being kept; and inventories being taken every year; of all raw materials;manufactures upon hand;and other effects; belonging to the establishment; and an annual account of profit and loss; regularly made out; all peculation; and other abuses; are most effectually prevented。
The steward; or store…keeper of raw materials; as he is called; has the care of all raw materials; and of all finished manufactures destined for private sale。 The former are kept in magazines; or store…rooms; of which he alone has the keys; the latter are kept in rooms set apart as a store;or shop; where they are exposed for public inspection; and sale。 To prevent abuses in the sales of these manufactures; their prices; which are determined upon a calculation of what they cost; and a certain per cent。 added for the profits of the house; are marked upon the goods; and are never altered; and a regular account is kept of all; even of the most inconsiderable articles sold; in which not only the commodity; with its quality; quantity; an price; is specified; but the name of the