A SKETCH OF OUE CUTTING ROOM.
it was decided I should write for a prospectus, calculate what would be the probable cost, and make the necessary arrangements for me to start with the new year. How eagerly I watched for the postmen to bring that prospectus, how carefully I read every line, how I longed for the time to come when I should bid adieu to my native town and begin my stay in the great city.
Arrangements were finally made, and at last I bade adieu to my mother, father, and sisters, and on Monday, January 5th, 1891, I started for the Tailors' School of Art, there to take up my abode for a three months' term. How shall I describe my feelings as the train steamed out of the station; there was my mother with a whole world of yearning anxiety for her boy; and I am bound to confess to a slight choking sensation as I watched the familiar places where my boyhood days had been spent, fade away one by one. I felt that at last I was starting alone to fight the battle of life. Many were the vague fears that entered my head. Should I like it after all? Should I miss my home? Should I feel very lonely? These and a whole host of other things passed through my mind, as the train steamed away past village and town and hamlet, till at last it reached the great city, and I found myself on the platform of Euston Station, looking out for my luggage. "Take a cab and go straight to the Tailor and Cutter Office," had been my father's instructions, and this I at once proceeded to do. This journey was soon over, and alighting at the Tailor and Cutter Office, I found a fine, massive building, standing out in marked distinction to the surroundings. Entering, I enquired for Mr. Williamson, and after a little while was ushered into that gentleman's presence. He greeted me cordially, and entered into a little conversation with me as to what were my aims and what I hoped to do. I explained this to him as far as possible; gave him my father's cheque for £12 10s., the amount charged for three months' tuition, received my receipt, and was then introduced to the head teacher. He met me with a cordial shake of the hand, and I soon began to feel a little at home; he conducted me into the cutting room, showed me where to hang my coat and hat, arranged for my luggage to be put in a place of safety, and then I started on
My First Lesson.
"We generally start on trousers," said my teacher, "they are the garment easiest learnt, having the fewest parts to remember." Then he showed me how to measure, taking first the leg, then the side, waist, seat, knee, and bottom. I remember the importance he attached to correct measurement, and how very necessary it was to do my best to grasp my customer's wishes.
"For instance," said he, "if a customer tells you he wants an easy-fitting pair of trousers, that he can stoop about in, you must note that, and when cutting, make arrangements accordingly, or you will get them back for alteration. Trousers that fit close and smart will give one gent every satisfaction but will be a misfit altogether for another; so that whilst we believe the system we adopt to be the very best known, yet you must look upon it as merely a means to an end, and that end is to produce a garment to meet your customer's wishes. But of this more presently," he said; and then proceeded to show me the topsides of a pair of close-fitting trousers, explaining point by point as he proceeded; and then, going over it again, he left me to draw the various points, curves or angles by myself. "Now," said he, "there is a tape, square, chalk, and curved stick; and as you get into difficulties I shall be pleased to help you;" and so in this kindly way I was encouraged at the start.
I succeeded beyond my expectations, and was soon passed on to the undersides, and ere the day had passed away, I had grasped the trousers system, and drafted it out to different measures, having taken the measures of a fellow student, and completed the whole routine in a practical manner. Ere the day was over, I had begun to feel at home; the kindly manner of the teachers, and the evident sociability of the older Students, did much to take away the strange surroundings: and as day after day passed away
The Cutting Rooms
Became quite familiar, and as I write this many a mile away from them, I can picture the whole thing distinctly. There are two large rooms, and one smaller one, the latter being reserved for Lady Students, so I need not describe that. The large rooms are arranged with three long tables in each ; each table being capable of accommodating 6 or 8 Students, and several times during my stay they were all in use. The number of young men who passed through the Academy astonished me. A fine lot of young fellows they were too : studious, steady, intelligent, and respectable as you could wish for, and be it said to the credit of the Tailor and Cutter management, I did not hear one word of complaint during the whole of my stay ; but on the contrary astfar as I know, every body was satisfied, and the majority entered in a book, written testimony to that effect ere they left. But this is by the way. To return to the rooms, they are well lighted and ventilated ; each room has five large windows, there is a lavatory fitted up for the Student's use, and the sanitary arrangements are under the supervision of an engineer kept on the premises to look after such matters. Everything was done to make the rooms comfortable and healthy.
The Lectures
Are usually given in the upper room, and although chairs are provided for the Students on these occasions, they mostly prefer to sit on the table facing the Lecturer. The lectures during my stay were very varied, the practical, scientific, artistic and business phases of tailoring being all thoroughly dealt with, whilst other subjects which offered two sides were clearly brought out by the two principal teachers in the debates, and very frequently the Students would follow them up with great zest. Well I remember the debate: " Is it necessary for a cutter to be a practical tailor in order to produce the best results? " How the various Students discussed the matter with great eagerness, each advocating the side which agreed with their own experience. The lectures were to my mind one of the most instructive methods of teaching adopted at the Academy; they were fully illustrated by full size Diagrams and Charts—which must have taken a very long time to prepare, for many of them are beautifully executed. As I look over my note book, which was my constant companion, I find a very large portion of it filled with notes of the various lectures; and now that I am in actual practice I find them of the greatest use to me when in a difficulty. The Lectures and Debates were often thoroughly talked over at
The Students' Home.
Where we exercised the duties of judge and jury on the lecture and lecturer. Happy days they were; how often I look back upon them now, and wish t live them over again. On leaving the Academy the first evening, I was escorted by a fellow-student to Waterloo, which is about ten minutes' walk from the office, from where we took train to Clapham Junction, and there soon found myself in a most comfortable home, which belongs to the Academy, where the Students' comforts are studied in every particular, and the charges are strictly moderate. I found great advantage from being associated with the other Students after business hours; they were able to help me in many little difficulties with home work, whilst the library in the Students' sitting room was a great advantage. I have already referred to
My Fellow-Students,
But as I write about the lodging there are many faces which I shall always remember. In one or two cases I have formed friendships which will last possibly through
