We may then use the term general ability to denote those faculties and that general knowledge and intelligence which are in varying degrees the common property of all the higher grades of industry; while that manual dexterity and that acquaintance with particular materials and processes which are required for the special purposes of individual trades may be classed as specialized ability.
3.General ability depends largely on the surroundings of childhood and youth.In this the first and far the most powerful influence is that of the mother.(2*) Next comes the influence of the father, of other children, and in some cases of servants.(3*)As years pass on the child of the working man learns a great deal from what he sees and hears going on around him; and when we inquire into the advantages for starting in life which children of the well-to-do classes have over those of artisans, and which these in their turn have over the children of unskilled labourers, we shall have to consider these influences of home more in detail.But at present we may pass to consider the more general influences of school education.
Little need be said of general education; though the influence even of that on industrial efficiency is greater than it appears.It is true that.the children of the working classes must very often leave school, when they have but learnt the elements of reading, writing, arithmetic and drawing; and it is sometimes argued that part of the little time spent on these subjects would be better given to practical work.But the advance made at school is important not so much on its own account, as for the power of future advance which a school education gives.
