The  Germans  probably  remain  longer  with  one  master  than
other  immigrants.  The  Irish,  who  are  almost  as  numerous
as  the  Germans,  are  smart,  but  are  constantly  giving  rise  to
difficulties,  because  of  their  turbulent  character.  Great  care  is
taken  that  they  are  not  all  placed  in  the  same  workroom,
otherwise  it  is  impossible  to  keep  order;  they  effervesce  most
violently  during  periods  of  political  agitation ;  and  further,
they  have  no  notion  of  the  value  of  money,  and  are  noted
spendthrifts.  The  Scandinavians,  whom  we  saw  so  numerous
and  prosperous  in  the  Far  West,  seldom  stay  East  longer  than
to  make  enough  money  or  to  get  some  advance  to  carry  them
to  unoccupied  lands,  where  they  intend  to  settle.  The  East  is
only  a  half-way  house  for  them.  If  an  American  begin  life  as
a  factory-hand  it  is  only  with  the  idea  of  raising  himself,  and
he  will  try  a  hundred  different  trades  rather  than  remain  in
some  business  which  promises  no  great  career.
This  short  overlook  shows  us  already  two  very  distinct
varieties  among  American  workmen  :  the  one  more  or  less
fixed  to  some  trade  and  workshop,  the  other  the  temporary
workman  constantly  moving  about  and  changing  master  and
trade  at  any  moment.
