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In Scotland, there is no general law which regulates universally

the duration of apprenticeships. The term is different in

different corporations. Where it is long, a part of it may

generally be redeemed by paying a small fine. In most towns, too,

a very small fine is sufficient to purchase the freedom of any

corporation. The weavers of linen and hempen cloth, the principal

manufactures of the country, as well as all other artificers

subservient to them, wheel-makers, reel-makers, etc. may exercise

their trades in any town-corporate without paying any fine. In

all towns-corporate, all persons are free to sell butchers' meat

upon any lawful day of the week. Three years is, in Scotland, a

common term of apprenticeship, even in some very nice trades;

and, in general, I know of no country in Europe, in which

corporation laws are so little oppressive.