PartII。Q。18，Nos。216，217，226，235，etc。Horne——NotebyEngelstotheAmericaneditionof1887。ReturntoText14。Ibid。，evidence，pp。9，59；155——NotebyEngelstotheAmericaneditionof1887ReturntoText15。Ibid。，pp。9，56；146——NotebyEngelstotheAmericaneditionof1887。ReturntoText16。Ibid。，pp。54；158——NotebyEngelstotheAmericoneditionof1887。ReturntoText17。Symons’Rep。App。PartI，pp。E，22，etseq——NotebyEngelstotheAmericaneditionof1887。ReturntoText18。ArtsandArtisans——NotebyEngels。ReturntoText19。PrinciplesofPopulation，vol。ii，pp。196，197——NotebyEngels。ReturntoText20。Weshallseelaterhowtherebellionoftheworking-classagainstthebourgeoisieinEnglandislegalisedbytherightofcoalition——NotebyEngels。ReturntoText21。Chartism，p。54，etseq——NotebyEngels。ReturntoText22。Ibid。，p。40——NotebyEngelstotheAmericaneditionof1887。ReturntoText23。ShallIcallbourgeoiswitnessestobeartestimonyformehere，too？Iselectoneonly，whomeveryonemayread，namely，AdamSmith，WealthofNations(McCulloch’sfourvolumeedition)，vol。
iii，book5，chap。l，p。297——NotebyEngels。ReturntoText24。PrinciplesofPopulation，vol。ii，p。76，etseq。，p。82，p。155——NotebyEngelsReturntoText25。Pure-blooded——Ed。ReturntoText26。PhilosophvofManufactures，London，1855，p。406，etseq。Weshallhaveoccasiontoreferfurthertothisreputablework——NotebyEngels。ReturntoText28。(1892)Theideathatlarge-scaleindustryhassplittheEnglishintotwodifferentnationshas，asiswellknown，beencarriedoutaboutthesametimealsobyDisraeliinhisnovel，Sybil，orthetwoNations——NotebyEngelstotheGermaneditionof1892。ReturntoText29。OnthePresentConditionoftheLabouringPoorinManchester，etc。BytheRev。Rd。Parkinson，CanonofManchester，3rded。，LondonandManchester，1841。Pamphlet——NotebyEngels。ReturntoText30。PrinciplesofPopulation，passim——NotebyEngels。ReturntoText31。SittingoftheLowerHouseonFeb。28，1845——NotebyEngels。ReturntoText32。TheManufacturingPopulationofEngland，chap。
10——NotebyEngels。ReturntoText33。Thetotalofpopulation，aboutfifteenmillions，dividedbythenumberofconvictedcriminals(22，733)——NotebyEngels。ReturntoTextSingleBranchesofIndustry447F。EngelsTHECONDITIONS
OFTHEWORKING-CLASS
INENGLANDSINGLEBRANCHESOFINDUSTRY
FACTORY-HANDS
IndealingnowwiththemoreimportantbranchesoftheEnglishmanufacturingproletariat，weshallbegin，accordingtotheprinciplealreadylaiddown，withthefactory-workers，i。e。，thosewhoarecomprisedundertheFactoryAct。Thislawregulatesthelengthoftheworking-dayinmillsinwhichwool，silk，cotton，andflaxarespunorwovenbymeansofwaterorsteam-power，andembraces，therefore，themoreimportantbranchesofEnglishmanufacture。
TheclassemployedbythemisthemostintelligentandenergeticofalltheEnglishworkers，and，therefore，themostrestlessandmosthatedbythebourgeoisie。Itstandsasawhole，andthecotton-workerspre-eminentlystand，attheheadofthelabourmovement，astheirmastersthemanufacturers，especiallythoseofLancashire，taketheleadofthebourgeoisagitation。
Wehavealreadyseenintheintroductionhowthepopulationemployedinworkingupthetextilematerialswerefirsttornfromtheirformerwayoflife。Itis，therefore，notsurprisingthattheprogressofmechanicalinventioninlateryearsalsoaffectedpreciselytheseworkersmostdeeplyandpermanently。ThehistoryofcottonmanufactureasrelatedbyUre，[1]Baines，[2]andothersisthestoryofimprovementsineverydirection，mostofwhichhavebecomedomesticatedintheotherbranchesofindustryaswell。Hand-workissupersededbymachine-workalmostuniversally，nearlyallmanipulationsareconductedbytheaidofsteamorwater，andeveryyearisbringingfurtherimprovements。
Inawell-orderedstateofsociety，suchimprovementscouldonlybeasourceofrejoicing；inawarofallagainstall，individualsseizethebenefitforthemselves，andsodeprivethemajorityofthemeansofsubsistence。
Everyimprovementinmachinerythrowsworkersoutofemployment，andthegreatertheadvance，themorenumeroustheunemployed；eachgreatimprovementproduces，therefore，uponanumberofworkerstheeffectofacommercialcrisis，createswant，wretchedness，andcrime。Takeafewexamples。Theveryfirstinvention，thejenny，workedbyoneman，producedatleastsixfoldwhatthespinning-wheelhadyieldedinthesametime；thuseverynewjennythrewfivespinnersoutofemployment。Thethrostle，which，inturn，producedmuchmorethanthejenny，and，likeit，wasworkedbyoneman，threwstillmorepeopleoutofemployment。Themule，whichrequiredyetfewerhandsinproportiontotheproduct，hadthesameeffect，andeveryimprovementinthemule，everymultiplicationofitsspindles，diminishedstillfurtherthenumberofworkersemployed。Butthisincreaseofthenumberofspindlesinthemuleissogreatthatwholearmiesofworkershavebeenthrownoutofemploymentbyit。For，whereasonespinner，withacoupleofchildrenforpiecers，formerlysetsixhundredspindlesinmotion，hecouldnowmanagefourteenhundredtotwothousandspindlesupontwomules，sothattwoadultspinnersandapartofthepiecerswhomtheyemployedwerethrownout。Andsinceself-actingmuleshavebeenintroducedintoaverylargenumberofspinning-mills，thespinners’workiswhollyperformedbythemachine。ThereliesbeforemeabookfromthepenofJamesLeach，[3]oneoftherecognisedleadersoftheChartistsinManchester。Theauthorhasworkedforyearsinvariousbranchesofindustry，inmillsandcoal-mines，andisknowntomepersonallyasanhonest，trustworthy，andcapableman。
Inconsequenceofhispoliticalposition，hehadatcommandextensivedetailedinformationastothedifferentfactories，collectedbytheworkersthemselves，andhepublishestablesfromwhichitisclearthatin1841，in35factories，1，083fewermulespinnerswereemployedthanin1829，thoughthenumberofspindlesinthese35factorieshadincreasedby99，429。Hecitesfivefactoriesinwhichnospinnerswhateverareemployed，self-actorsonlybeingused。Whilethenumberofspindlesincreasedby10percent，thenumberofspinnersdiminishedmorethan60percent。AndLeachaddsthatsince1841，somanyimprovementshavebeenintroducedbydouble-deckingandothermeans，thatinsomeofthefactoriesnamed，halftheoperativeshavebeendischarged。Inonefactoryalone，whereeightyspinnerswereemployedashorttimeago，therearenowbuttwentyleft；theothershavingbeendischargedorsetatchildren’sworkforchildren’swages。OfStockportLeachtellsasimilarstory，thatin1835，800spinnerswereemployed，andin1843but140，thoughthemanufactureofStockporthasgreatlyincreasedduringthelasteightornineyears。Similarimprovementshavenowbeenmadeincarding-frames，bywhichone-halftheoperativeshavebeenthrownoutofemployment。Inonefactoryimprovedframeshavebeensetup，whichhavethrownfourhandsoutofeightoutofwork，besideswhichtheemployerreducedthewagesofthefourretainedfromeightshillingstoseven。Thesameprocesshasgoneonintheweavingindustry；thepower-loomhastakenpossessionofonebranchofhand-weavingafteranother，andsinceitproducesmuchmorethanthehand-loom，whileoneweavercanworktwolooms，ithassupersededamultitudeofworking-people。Andinallsortsofmanufacture，inflaxandwool-spinning，insilk-twisting，thecaseisthesame。Thepower-loom，too，isbeginningtoappropriateonebranchafteranotherofwoolandlinen-weaving；inRochdalealone，therearemorepowerthanhand-loomsinflannelandotherwool-weavingbranches。Thebourgeoisieusuallyrepliestothis，thatimprovementsinmachinery，bydecreasingthecostofproduction，supplyfinishedgoodsatlowerprices，andthatthesereducedpricescausesuchanincreaseinconsumptionthattheunemployedoperativessoonfindfullemploymentinnewlyfoundedfactories。[4]Thebourgeoisieissofarcorrectthatundercertainconditionsfavourableforthegeneraldevelopmentofmanufacture，everyreductioninpriceofgoodsinwhichtherawmaterialischeap，greatlyincreasesconsumption，andgivesrisetothebuildingofnewfactories；buteveryfurtherwordoftheassertionisalie。Thebourgeoisieignoresthefactthatittakesyearsfortheseresultsofthedecreaseinpricetofollowandfornewfactoriestobebuilt；itissilentuponthepointthateveryimprovementinmachinerythrowstherealwork，theexpenditureofforce，moreandmoreuponthemachine，andsotransformstheworkoffull-grownmenintomeresupervision，whichafeeblewomanorevenachildcandoquiteaswell，anddoesforhalfortwo-thirdswages；that，therefore，grownmenareconstantlymoreandmoresupplantedandnotre-employedbytheincreaseinmanufacture；itconcealsthefactthatwholebranchesofindustryfallaway，oraresochangedthattheymustbelearnedafresh；andittakesgoodcarenottoconfesswhatitusuallyharpsupon，wheneverthequestionofforbiddingtheworkofchildrenisbroached，thatfactory-workmustbelearnedinearliestyouthinordertobelearnedproperly。Itdoesnotmentionthefactthattheprocessofimprovementgoessteadilyon，andthatassoonastheoperativehassucceededinmakinghimselfathomeinanewbranch，ifheactuallydoessucceedinsodoing，this，too，istakenfromhim，andwithitthelastremnantofsecuritywhichremainedtohimforwinninghisbread。Butthebourgeoisiegetsthebenefitoftheimprovementsinmachinery；ithasacapitalopportunityforpilingupmoneyduringthefirstyearswhilemanyoldmachinesarestillinuse，andtheimprovementnotyetuniversallyintroduced；anditwouldbetoomuchtoaskthatitshouldhaveanopeneyeforthedisadvantagesinseparablefromtheseimprovements。
Thefactthatimprovedmachineryreduceswageshasalsobeenasviolentlydisputedbythebourgeoisie，asitisconstantlyreiteratedbytheworking-men。
Thebourgeoisieinsiststhatalthoughthepriceofpiece-workhasbeenreduced，yetthetotalofwagesfortheweek’sworkhasratherrisenthanfallen，andtheconditionoftheoperativesratherimprovedthandeteriorated。
Itishardtogettothebottomofthematter，fortheoperativesusuallydwelluponthepriceofpiece-work。Butitiscertainthattheweeklywage，also，has，inmanybranchesofwork，beenreducedbytheimprovementofmachinery。Theso-calledfinespinners(whospinfinemuleyarn)，forinstance，doreceivehighwages，thirtytofortyshillingsaweek，becausetheyhaveapowerfulassociationforkeepingwagesup，andtheircraftrequireslongtraining；butthecoarsespinnerswhohavetocompeteagainstself-actors(whicharenotasyetadaptedforfinespinning)，andwhoseassociationwasbrokendownbytheintroductionofthesemachines，receiveverylowwages。Amulespinnertoldmethathedoesnotearnmorethanfourteenshillingsaweek，andhisstatementagreeswiththatofLeach，thatinvariousfactoriesthecoarsespinnersearnlessthansixteenshillingsandsixpenceaweek，andthataspinner，whoyearsagoearnedthirtyshillings，cannowhardlyscrapeuptwelveandahalf，andhadnotearnedmoreonanaverageinthepastyear。Thewagesofwomenandchildrenmayperhapshavefallenless，butonlybecausetheywerenothighfromthebeginning。
Iknowseveralwomen，widowswithchildren，whohavetroubleenoughtoearneighttonineshillingsaweek；andthattheyandtheirfamiliescannotlivedecentlyuponthatsum，everyonemustadmitwhoknowsthepriceofthebarestnecessariesoflifeinEngland。Thatwagesingeneralhavebeenreducedbytheimprovementofmachineryistheunanimoustestimonyoftheoperatives。Thebourgeoisassertionthattheconditionoftheworking-classhasbeenimprovedbymachineryismostvigorouslyproclaimedafalsehoodineverymeetingofworking-meninthefactorydistricts。Andevenifitweretruethattherelativewage，thepriceofpiece-workonly，hasfallen，whiletheabsolutewage，thesumtobeearnedintheweek，remainedunchanged，whatwouldfollow？Thattheoperativeshavehadquietlytolookonwhilethemanufacturersfilledtheirpursesfromeveryimprovementwithoutgivingthehandsthesmallestshareinthegain。Thebourgeoisforgets，infightingtheworking-man，themostordinaryprinciplesofhisownPoliticalEconomy。
HewhoatothertimesswearsbyMalthus，criesoutinhisanxietybeforetheworkers:”WherecouldthemillionsbywhichthepopulationofEnglandhasincreasedfindwork，withouttheimprovementsinmachinery？”[5]Asthoughthebourgeoisdidnotknowwellenoughthatwithoutmachineryandtheexpansionofindustrywhichitproduced，these”millions”wouldneverhavebeenbroughtintotheworldandgrownup！Theservicewhichmachineryhasrenderedtheworkersissimplythis:thatithasbroughthometotheirmindsthenecessityofasocialreformbymeansofwhichmachineryshallnolongerworkagainstbutforthem。LetthewisebourgeoisaskthepeoplewhosweepthestreetsinManchesterandelsewhere(thougheventhisispastnow，sincemachinesforthepurposehavebeeninventedandintroduced)，orsellsalt，matches，oranges，andshoe-stringsonthestreets，orevenbeg，whattheywereformerly，andhewillseehowmanywillanswer:Mill-handsthrownoutofworkbymachinery。Theconsequencesofimprovementinmachineryunderourpresentsocialconditionsare，fortheworking-man，solelyinjurious，andofteninthehighestdegreeoppressive。
Everynewadvancebringswithitlossofemployment，want，andsuffering，andinacountrylikeEnglandwhere，withoutthat，thereisusuallya”surpluspopulation”，tobedischargedfromworkistheworstthatcanbefalltheoperative。Andwhatadispiriting，unnervinginfluencethisuncertaintyofhispositioninlife，consequentupontheunceasingprogressofmachinery，mustexerciseupontheworker，whoselotisprecariousenoughwithoutit！
Toescapedespair，therearebuttwowaysopentohim；eitherinwardandoutwardrevoltagainstthebourgeoisieordrunkennessandgeneraldemoralisation。
AndtheEnglishoperativesareaccustomedtotakerefugeinboth。ThehistoryoftheEnglishproletariatrelateshundredsofuprisingsagainstmachineryandthebourgeoisie；wehavealreadyspokenofthemoraldissolutionwhich，initself，isonlyanotherformofdespair。
Theworstsituationisthatofthoseworkerswhohavetocompeteagainstamachinethatismakingitsway。Thepriceofthegoodswhichtheyproduceadaptsitselftothepriceofthekindredproductofthemachine，andasthelatterworksmorecheaply，itshumancompetitorhasbutthelowestwages。Thesamethinghappenstoeveryoperativeemployeduponanoldmachineincompetitionwithlaterimprovements。Andwhoelseistheretobearthehardship？Themanufacturerwillnotthrowouthisoldapparatus，norwillhesustainthelossuponit；outofthedeadmechanismhecanmakenothing，sohefastensuponthelivingworker，theuniversalscapegoatofsociety。
Ofalltheworkersincompetitionwithmachinery，themostill-usedarethehand-loomcottonweavers。Theyreceivethemosttriflingwages，and，withfullwork，arenotinapositiontoearnmorethantenshillingsaweek。Oneclassofwovengoodsafteranotherisannexedbythepower-loom，andhand-weavingisthelastrefugeofworkersthrownoutofemploymentinotherbranches，sothatthetradeisalwaysovercrowded。Henceitcomesthat，inaverageseasons，thehand-weavercountshimselffortunateifhecanearnsixorsevenshillingsaweek，whiletoreachthissumhemustsitathisloomfourteentoeighteenhoursaday。Mostwovengoodsrequiremoreoveradampweaving-room，tokeeptheweftfromsnapping，andinpartforthisreason，inpartbecauseoftheirpoverty，whichpreventsthemfrompayingforbetterdwellings，thework-roomsoftheseweaversareusuallywithoutwoodenorpavedfloors。Ihavebeeninmanydwellingsofsuchweavers，inremote，vilecourtsandalleys，usuallyincellars。Oftenhalf-a-dozenofthesehand-loomweavers，severalofthemmarried，livetogetherinacottagewithoneortwowork-rooms，andonelargesleeping-room。Theirfoodconsistsalmostexclusivelyofpotatoes，withperhapsoatmealporridge，rarelymilk，andscarcelyevermeat。GreatnumbersofthemareIrishorofIrishdescent。Andthesepoorhand-loomweavers，firsttosufferfromeverycrisis，andlasttoberelievedfromit，mustservethebourgeoisieasahandleinmeetingattacksuponthefactorysystem。See，criesthebourgeois，triumphantly，seehowthesepoorcreaturesmustfamish，whilethemilloperativesarethriving，andthenjudgethefactorysystem！
Asthoughitwerenotpreciselythefactorysystemandthemachinerybelongingtoitwhichhadsoshamefullycrushedthehand-loomweavers，andasthoughthebourgeoisiedidnotknowthisquiteaswellasourselves！Butthebourgeoisiehasinterestsatstake，andsoafalsehoodortwoandabitofhypocrisywon’tmattermuch。
Letusexaminesomewhatmorecloselythefactthatmachinerymoreandmoresupersedestheworkofmen。Thehumanlabour，involvedinbothspinningandweaving，consistschieflyinpiecingbrokenthreads，asthemachinedoesalltherest。Thisworkrequiresnomuscularstrength，butonlyflexibilityoffinger。Menare，therefore，notonlynotneededforit，butactually，byreasonofthegreatermusculardevelopmentofthehand，lessfitforitthanwomenandchildren，andare，therefore，naturallyalmostsupersededbythem。Hence，themoretheuseofthearms，theexpenditureofstrength，canbetransferredtosteamorwaterpower，thefewermenneedbeemployed；
andaswomenandchildrenworkmorecheaply，andinthesebranchesbetterthanmen，theytaketheirplaces。Inthespinning-millswomenandgirlsaretobefoundinalmostexclusivepossessionofthethrostles；amongthemulesoneman，anadultspinner(withself-actors，he，too，becomessuperfluous)，andseveralpiecersfortyingthethreads，usuallychildrenorwomen，sometimesyoungmenoffromeighteentotwentyyears，hereandthereanoldspinner[7]thrownoutofotheremployment。Atthepower-loomswomen，fromfifteentotwentyyears，arechieflyemployed，andafewmen；these，however，rarelyremainatthistradeaftertheirtwenty-firstyear。Amongthepreparatorymachinery，too，womenalonearetobefound，withhereandthereamantocleanandsharpenthecarding-frames。Besidesallthese，thefactoriesemploynumbersofchildren——doffers——formountingandtakingdownbobbins，andafewmenasoverlookers，amechanicandanengineerforthesteam-
engines，carpenters，porters，etc。；buttheactualworkofthemillsisdonebywomenandchildren。Thisthemanufacturersdeny。
Theypublishedlastyearelaboratetablestoprovethatmachinerydoesnotsupersedeadultmaleoperatives。Accordingtothesetables，rathermorethanhalfofallthefactory-workersemployed，viz。，52percent，werefemalesand48percentmales，andoftheseoperativesmorethanhalfwereovereighteenyearsold。Sofar，sogood。Butthemanufacturersareverycarefulnottotellus，howmanyoftheadultsweremenandhowmanywomen。Andthisisjustthepoint。Besidesthis，theyhaveevidentlycountedthemechanics，engineers，carpenters，allthemenemployedinanywayinthefactories，perhapseventheclerks，andstilltheyhavenotthecouragetotellthewholetruth。Thesepublicationsteemgenerallywithfalsehoods，perversions，crookedstatements，withcalculationsofaverages，thatproveagreatdealfortheuninitiatedreaderandnothingfortheinitiated，andwithsuppressionsoffactsbearingonthemostimportantpoints；andtheyproveonlytheselfishblindnessandwantofuprightnessofthemanufacturersconcerned。LetustakesomeofthestatementsofaspeechwithwhichLordAshleyintroducedtheTenHours’Bill，March15th，1844，intotheHouseofCommons。Herehegivessomedataastotherelationsofsexandageoftheoperatives，notyetrefutedbythemanufacturers，whosestatements，asquotedabove，covermoreoveronlyapartofthemanufacturingindustryofEngland。Of419，590factoryoperativesoftheBritishEmpirein1839，192，887，ornearlyhalf，wereundereighteenyearsofage，and242，296
ofthefemalesex，ofwhom112，192werelessthaneighteenyearsold。Thereremain，therefore，80，695maleoperativesundereighteenyears，and96，599
adultmaleoperatives，ornotonefullquarterofthewholenumber。
Inthecottonfactories，561/4percent；inthewoolenmills，691/2percent；inthesilkmills，701/2percent；intheflax-spinningmills，70
1/2percentofalloperativesareofthefemalesex。Thesenumberssufficetoprovethecrowdingoutofadultmales。Butyouhaveonlytogointothenearestmilltoseethefactconfirmed。Hencefollowsofnecessitythatinversionoftheexistingsocialorderwhich，beingforceduponthem，hasthemostruinousconsequencesfortheworkers。Theemploymentofwomenatoncebreaksupthefamily；forwhenthewifespendstwelveorthirteenhourseverydayinthemill，andthehusbandworksthesamelengthoftimethereorelsewhere，whatbecomesofthechildren？Theygrowuplikewildweeds；theyareputouttonurseforashillingoreighteenpenceaweek，andhowtheyaretreatedmaybeimagined。Hencetheaccidentstowhichlittlechildrenfallvictimsmultiplyinthefactorydistrictstoaterribleextent。ThelistsoftheCoronerofManchester[8]showedforninemonths:69deathsfromburning，56fromdrowning，23fromfalling，67fromothercauses，oratotalof215deathsfromaccidents，[9]whileinnon-manufacturingLiverpoolduringtwelvemonthstherewerebut146fatalaccidents。Theminingaccidentsareexcludedinbothcases；andsincetheCoronerofManchesterhasnoauthorityinSalford，thepopulationofbothplacesmentionedinthecomparisonisaboutthesame。TheManchesterGuardianreportsoneormoredeathsbyburninginalmosteverynumber。
Thatthegeneralmortalityamongyoungchildrenmustbeincreasedbytheemploymentofthemothersisself-evident，andisplacedbeyondalldoubtbynotoriousfacts。Womenoftenreturntothemillthreeorfourdaysafterconfinement，leavingthebaby，ofcourse；inthedinner-hourtheymusthurryhometofeedthechildandeatsomething，andwhatsortofsucklingthatcanbeisalsoevident。LordAshleyrepeatsthetestimonyofseveralworkwomen:”M。H。，twentyyearsold，hastwochildren，theyoungestababythatistendedbytheother，alittleolder。Themothergoestothemillshortlyafterfiveo’clockinthemorning，andcomeshomeateightatnight；alldaythemilkpoursfromherbreasts，sothatherclothingdripswithit。””H。W。hasthreechildren，goesawayMondaymorningatfiveo’clock，andcomesbackSaturdayevening；hassomuchtodoforthechildrenthenthatshecannotgettobedbeforethreeo’clockinthemorning；
oftenwetthroughtotheskin，andobligedtoworkinthatstate。”Shesaid:”Mybreastshavegivenmethemostfrightfulpain，andIhavebeendrippingwetwithmilk。”Theuseofnarcoticstokeepthechildrenstillisfosteredbythisinfamoussystem，andhasreachedagreatextentinthefactorydistricts。Dr。Johns，RegistrarinChiefforManchester，isofopinionthatthiscustomisthechiefsourceofthemanydeathsfromconvulsions。Theemploymentofthewifedissolvesthefamilyutterlyandofnecessity，andthisdissolution，inourpresentsociety，whichisbaseduponthefamily，bringsthemostdemoralisingconsequencesforparentsaswellaschildren。Amotherwhohasnotimetotroubleherselfaboutherchild，toperformthemostordinarylovingservicesforitduringitsfirstyear，whoscarcelyindeedseesit，canbenorealmothertothechild，mustinevitablygrowindifferenttoit，treatitunlovinglylikeastranger。Thechildrenwhogrowupundersuchconditionsareutterlyruinedforlaterfamilylife，canneverfeelathomeinthefamilywhichtheythemselvesfound，becausetheyhavealwaysbeenaccustomedtoisolation，andtheycontributethereforetothealreadygeneralunderminingofthefamilyintheworking-class。Asimilardissolutionofthefamilyisbroughtaboutbytheemploymentofthechildren。Whentheygetonfarenoughtoearnmorethantheycosttheirparentsfromweektoweek，theybegintopaytheparentsafixedsumforboardandlodging，andkeeptherestforthemselves。Thisoftenhappensfromthefourteenthorfifteenthyear。Inaword，thechildrenemancipatethemselves，andregardthepaternaldwellingasalodging-house，whichtheyoftenexchangeforanother，assuitsthem。
Inmanycasesthefamilyisnotwhollydissolvedbytheemploymentofthewife，butturnedupsidedown。Thewifesupportsthefamily，thehusbandsitsathome，tendsthechildren，sweepstheroomandcooks。Thiscasehappensveryfrequently；inManchesteralone，manyhundredsuchmencouldbecited，condemnedtodomesticoccupations。Itiseasytoimaginethewratharousedamongtheworking-menbythisreversalofallrelationswithinthefamily，whiletheothersocialconditionsremainunchanged。ThereliesbeforemealetterfromanEnglishworking-man，RobertPounder，Baron’sBuildings，Woodhouse，Moorside，inLeeds(thebourgeoisiemayhunthimupthere；Igivetheexactaddressforthepurpose)，writtenbyhimtoOastler。
Herelateshowanotherworking-man，beingontramp，cametoSt。Helens，inLancashire，andtherelookedupanoldfriend。Hefoundhiminamiserable，dampcellar，scarcelyfurnished。”Andwhenmypoorfriendwentin，theresatpoorJacknearthefire，andwhatdidhe，thinkyou？Whyhesatandmendedhiswife’sstockingswiththebodkin；andassoonashesawhisoldfriendatthedoor-post，hetriedtohidethem。ButJoe，thatismyfriend’sname，hadseenit，andsaid:’Jack，whatthedevilartthoudoing？Whereisthemissus？
Why，isthatthywork？’andpoorJackwasashamed，andsaid:’No，Iknowthisisnotmywork，butmypoormissusisi’th’factory；shehastoleaveathalf-pastfiveandworkstilleightatnight，andthensheissoknockedupthatshecannotdoaughtwhenshegetshome，soIhavetodoeverythingforherwhatIcan，forIhavenowork，norhadanyformorenorthreeyears，andIshallneverhaveanymoreworkwhileIlive，”andthenheweptabigtear。Jackagainsaid:’Thereisworkenoughforwomenfolksandchilderhereabouts，butnoneformen:thoumayestsoonerfindahundredpoundontheroadthanworkformen——butIshouldneverhavebelievedthateitherthouoranyoneelsewouldhaveseenmemendingmywife’sstockings，foritisbadwork。Butshecanhardlystandonherfeet；Iamafraidshewillbelaidup，andthenIdon’tknowwhatistobecomeofus，forit’sagoodbitthatshehasbeenthemaninthehaulandIthewoman；itisbadwork，Joe，”andhecriedbitterly，andsaid，’Ithasnotbeenalwaysso。’’No，’saidJoe；’butwhenthouhadn’tnowork，howhastthounotshifted’I’lltellthee，Joe，aswellasIcan，butitwasbadenough；thouknowestwhenIgotmarriedIhadworkplenty，andthouknowsIwasnotlazy。’’No，thatthouwertnot。’’Andwehadagoodfurnishedhouse，andMaryneednotgotowork。Icouldworkforthetwoofus；butnowtheworldisupsidedown。MaryhastoworkandIhavetostopathome，mindthechilder，sweepandwash，bakeandmend；and，whenthepoorwomancomeshomeatnight，sheisknockedup。Thouknows，Joe，it’shardforonethatwasuseddifferent。’
’Yes，boy，itishard。’AndthenJackbegantocryagain，andhewishedhehadnevermarried，andthathehadneverbeenborn；buthehadneverthought，whenhewedMary，thatitwouldcometothis。’Ihaveoftencriedoverit，’saidJack。NowwhenJoeheardthis，hetoldmethathehadcursedanddamnedthefactories，andthemasters，andtheGovernment，withallthecursesthathehadlearnedwhilebewasinthefactoryfromachild。”Cananyoneimagineamoreinsanestateofthingsthanthatdescribedinthisletter！Andyetthiscondition，whichunsexesthemanandtakesfromthewomanallwomanlinesswithoutbeingabletobestowuponthemantruewomanliness，orthewomantruemanliness——thisconditionwhichdegrades，inthemostshamefulway，bothsexes，and，throughthem，Humanity，isthelastresultofourmuch-praisedcivilisation，thefinalachievementofalltheeffortsandstrugglesofhundredsofgenerationstoimprovetheirownsituationandthatoftheirposterity。Wemusteitherdespairofmankind，anditsaimsandefforts，whenweseeallourlabourandtoilresultinsuchamockery，orwemustadmitthathumansocietyhashithertosoughtsalvationinafalsedirection；wemustadmitthatsototalareversalofthepositionofthesexescanhavecometopassonlybecausethesexeshavebeenplacedinafalsepositionfromthebeginning。Ifthereignofthewifeoverthehusband，asinevitablybroughtaboutbythefactorysystem，isinhuman，thepristineruleofthehusbandoverthewifemusthavebeeninhumantoo。Ifthewifecannowbasehersupremacyuponthefactthatshesuppliesthegreaterpart，nay，thewholeofthecommonpossession，thenecessaryinferenceisthatthiscommunityofpossessionisnotrueandrationalone，sinceonememberofthefamilyboastsoffensivelyofcontributingthegreatershare。Ifthefamilyofourpresentsocietyisbeingthusdissolved，thisdissolutionmerelyshowsthat，atbottom，thebindingtieofthisfamilywasnotfamilyaffection，butprivateinterestlurkingunderthecloakofapretendedcommunityofpossessions。[10]Thesamerelationexistsonthepartofthosechildrenwhosupportunemployedparentswhentheydonotdirectlypayboardasalreadyreferredto。Dr。
HawkinstestifiedintheFactories’InquiryCommission’sReportthatthisrelationiscommonenough，andinManchesteritisnotorious。Inthiscasethechildrenarethemastersinthehouse，asthewifewasintheformercase，andLordAshleygivesanexampleofthisinhisspeech:Amanberatedhistwodaughtersforgoingtothepublic-house，andtheyansweredthattheyweretiredofbeingorderedabout，saying，”Damnyou，wehavetokeepyou。”Determinedtokeeptheproceedsoftheirworkforthemselves，theyleftthefamilydwelling，andabandonedtheirparentstotheirfate。
Theunmarriedwomen，whohavegrownupinmills，arenobetteroffthanthemarriedones。Itisself-evidentthatagirlwhohasworkedinamillfromherninthyearisinnopositiontounderstanddomesticwork，whenceitfollowsthatfemaleoperativesprovewhollyinexperiencedandunfitashousekeepers。Theycannotknitorsew，cookorwash，areunacquaintedwiththemostordinarydutiesofahousekeeper，andwhentheyhaveyoungchildrentotakecareof，havenotthevaguestideahowtosetaboutit。
TheFactories’InquiryCommission’sReportgivesdozensofexamplesofthis，andDr。Hawkins，CommissionerforLancashireexpresseshisopinionasfollows:Agirlmarriesearlyandrecklessly；”shehashadnotime，nomeans，noopportunitiesoflearningthecommondutiesofdomesticlife；
andevenifshehadacquiredtheknowledgeshehasstillnotimetopractisethem……Thereistheyoungmotherabsentfromherchildabovetwelvehoursdaily。Whohasthechargeoftheinfantinherabsence？Usuallysomelittlegirloragedwoman，whoishiredforatrifleandwhoseservicesareequivalenttothereward。Toooftenthedwellingofthefactoryfamilyisnohome；
itsometimesisacellar，whichincludesnocooking，nowashing，nomaking，nomending，nodecenciesoflife，noinvitationstothefireside。Icannothelpontheseandonothergrounds，especiallyforthebetterpreservationofinfantlife，expressingmyhopethataperiodmayarrivewhenmarriedwomenshallberarelyemployedinafactory。’”’Butthatistheleastoftheevil。Themoralconsequencesoftheemploymentofwomeninfactoriesareevenworse。Thecollectingofpersonsofbothsexesandallagesinasinglework-room，theinevitablecontact，thecrowdingintoasmallspaceofpeople，towhomneithermentalnormoraleducationhasbeengiven，isnotcalculatedforthefavourabledevelopmentofthefemalecharacter。Themanufacturer，ifhepaysanyattentiontothematter，caninterfereonlywhensomethingscandalousactuallyhappens；thepermanent，lessconspicuousinfluenceofpersonsofdissolutecharacteruponthemoremoral，andespeciallyupontheyoungerones，hecannotascertain，andconsequentlycannotprevent。Butpreciselythisinfluenceistheinjurious。Thelanguageusedinthemillsischaracterisedbymanywitnessesinthereportof1833，as”indecent”，”bad”，”filthy”，etc。Itisthesameprocessuponasmallscalewhichwehavealreadywitnesseduponalargeoneinthegreatcities。
Thecentralisationofpopulationhasthesameinfluenceuponthesamepersons，whetheritaffectstheminagreatcityorasmallfactory。Thesmallerthemillthecloserthepacking，andthemoreunavoidablethecontact；
andtheconsequencesarenotwanting。AwitnessinLeicestersaidthathewouldratherlethisdaughterbegthangointoafactory；thattheyareperfectgatesofhell；thatmostoftheprostitutesofthetownhadtheiremploymentinthemillstothankfortheirpresentsituation。Another，inManchester，”didnothesitatetoassertthatthree-fourthsoftheyoungfactoryemployees，fromfourteentotwentyyearsofage，wereunchaste”。
CommissionerCowellexpressesitashisopinion，thatthemoralityofthefactoryoperativesissomewhatbelowtheaverageofthatoftheworking-
classingeneral。AndDr。Hawkinssays:”Anestimateofsexualmoralityisscarcelypossibletobereduceintofigures；butifImaytrustmyownobservations，andthegeneralopinionofthosewithwhomIhaveconversed，andthespiritofourevidence，thenamostdiscouragingviewoftheinfluenceofthefactorylifeuponthemoralityoffemaleyouthobtrudesitself。Itis，besides，amatterofcoursethatfactoryservitude，likeanyother，andtoanevenhigherdegree，confersthejusprimaenoctisuponthemaster。Inthisrespectalsotheemployerissovereignoverthepersonsandcharmsofhisemployees。Thethreatofdischargesufficestoovercomeallresistanceinninecasesoutoften，ifnotinninety-nineoutofahundred，ingirlswho，inanycase，havenostronginducementstochastity。
Ifthemasterismeanenough，andtheofficialreportmentionsseveralsuchcases，hismillisalsohisharem；andthefactthatnotallmanufacturersusetheirpower，doesnotintheleastchangethepositionofthegirls。
Inthebeginningofmanufacturingindustry，whenmostoftheemployerswereupstartswithouteducationorconsiderationforthehypocrisyofsociety，theyletnothinginterferewiththeexerciseoftheirvestedrights。
Toformacorrectjudgmentoftheinfluenceoffactory-workuponthehealthofthefemalesex，itisnecessaryfirsttoconsidertheworkofchildren，andthenthenatureoftheworkitself。Fromthebeginningofmanufacturingindustry，childrenhavebeenemployedinmills，atfirstalmostexclusivelybyreasonofthesmallnessofthemachines，whichwerelaterenlarged。Evenchildrenfromtheworkhouseswereemployedinmultitudes，beingrentedoutforanumberofyearstothemanufacturersasapprentices。
Theywerelodged，fed，andclothedincommon，andwere，ofcourse，completelytheslavesoftheirmasters，bywhomtheyweretreatedwiththeutmostrecklessnessandbarbarity。Asearlyas1796，thepublicobjectiontothisrevoltingsystemfoundsuchvigorousexpressionthroughDr。PercivalandSirRobertPeel(fatheroftheCabinetMinister，andhimselfacottonmanufacturer)，thatin1802ParliamentpassedanApprentices’Bill，bywhichthemostcryingevilswereremoved。Graduallytheincreasingcompetitionoffreeworkpeoplecrowdedoutthewholeapprenticesystem；factorieswerebuiltincities，machinerywasconstructedonalargerscale，andwork-roomsweremademoreairyandwholesome；gradually，too，moreworkwasfoundforadultsandyoungpersons。Thenumberofchildreninthemillsdiminishedsomewhat，andtheageatwhichtheybegantoworkrosealittle；fewchildrenundereightornineyearswerenowemployed。Later，asweshallsee，thepowerofthestateintervenedseveraltimestoprotectthemfromthemoney-greedofthebourgeoisie。
Thegreatmortalityamongchildrenoftheworking-class，andespeciallyamongthoseofthefactoryoperatives，isproofenoughoftheunwholesomeconditionsunderwhichtheypasstheirfirstyears。Theseinfluencesareatwork，ofcourse，amongthechildrenwhosurvive，butnotquitesopowerfullyasuponthosewhosuccumb。Theresultinthemostfavourablecaseisatendencytodisease，orsomecheckindevelopment，andconsequentlessthannormalvigouroftheconstitution。Anineyearsoldchildofafactoryoperativethathasgrownupinwant，privation，andchangingconditions，incoldanddamp，withinsufficientclothingandunwholesomedwellings，isfarfromhavingtheworkingforceofachildbroughtupunderhealthierconditions。Atnineyearsofageitissentintothemilltowork61/2
hours(formerly8，earlierstill，12to14，even16hours)daily，untilthethirteenthyear；thentwelvehoursuntiltheeighteenthyear。Theoldenfeeblinginfluencescontinue，whiletheworkisaddedtothem。Itisnottobedeniedthatachildofnineyears，evenanoperative’schild，canholdoutthrough61/2，hours’dailywork，withoutanyonebeingabletotracevisiblebadresultsinitsdevelopmentdirectlytothiscause；
butinnocasecanitspresenceinthedamp，heavyairofthefactory，oftenatoncewarmandwet，contributetogoodhealth；and，inanycase，itisunpardonabletosacrificetothegreedofanunfeelingbourgeoisiethetimeofchildrenwhichshouldbedevotedsolelytotheirphysicalandmentaldevelopment，withdrawthemfromschoolandthefreshair，inordertowearthemforthebenefitofthemanufacturers。Thebourgeoisiesays:
Ifwedonotemploythechildreninthemills，theyonlyremainunderconditionsunfavourabletotheirdevelopment；andthisistrueonthewhole。Butwhatdoesthismeanifitisnotaconfessionthatthebourgeoisiefirstplacesthechildrenoftheworking-classunderunfavourableconditions，andthenexploitsthesebadconditionsforitsownbenefit，appealstothatwhichisasmuchitsownfaultasthefactorysystem，excusesthesinoftodaywiththesinofyesterday？AndiftheFactoryActdidnotinsomemeasurefettertheirhands，howthis”humane”，this”benevolent”bourgeoisie，whichhasbuiltitsfactoriessolelyforthegoodoftheworking-class，wouldtakecareoftheinterestsoftheseworkers！Letushearhowtheyactedbeforethefactoryinspectorwasattheirheels。TheirownadmittedtestimonyshallconvictthemintheReportoftheFactories’InquiryCommissionof1833。
ThereportoftheCentralCommissionrelatesthatthemanufacturersbegantoemploychildrenrarelyoffiveyears，oftenofsix，veryoftenofseven，usuallyofeighttonineyears；thattheworking-dayoftenlastedfourteentosixteenhours，exclusiveofmealsandintervals；thatthemanufacturerspermittedoverlookerstoflogandmaltreatchildren，andoftentookanactivepartinsodoingthemselves。OnecaseisrelatedofaScotchmanufacturer，whorodeafterasixteenyearsoldrunaway，forcedhimtoreturn，runningaftertheemployerasfastasthemaster’shorsetrotted，andbeathimthewholewaywithalongwhip。Inthelargetownswheretheoperativesresistedmorevigorously，suchthingsnaturallyhappenedlessoften。Buteventhislongworking-dayfailedtosatisfythegreedofthecapitalists。
Theiraimwastomakethecapitalinvestedinthebuildingandmachineryproducethehighestreturn，byeveryavailablemeans，tomakeitworkasactivelyaspossible。Hencethemanufacturersintroducedtheshamefulsystemofnight-work。Someofthememployedtwosetsofoperatives，eachnumerousenoughtofillthewholemill，andletonesetworkthetwelvehoursoftheday，andtheotherthetwelvehoursofthenight。Itisneedlesstopicturetheeffectupontheframesofyoungchildren，andevenuponthehealthofyoungpersonsandadults，producedbypermanentlossofsleepatnight，whichcannotbemadegoodbyanyamountofsleepduringtheday。
Irritationofthewholenervoussystem，withgenerallassitudeandenfeeblementoftheentireframe，weretheinevitableresults，withthefosteringoftemptationtodrunkennessandunbridledsexualindulgence。Onemanufacturertestifiesthatduringthetwoyearsinwhichnight-workwascarriedoninhisfactory，thenumberofillegitimatechildrenbornwasdoubled，andsuchgeneraldemoralisationprevailedthathewasobligedtogiveupnight-work。
Othermanufacturerswereyetmorebarbarous，requiringmanyhandstoworkthirtytofortyhoursatastretch，severaltimesaweek，lettingthemgetacoupleofhourssleeponly，becausethenight-shiftwasnotcomplete，butcalculatedtoreplaceapartoftheoperativesonly。
ThereportsoftheCommissiontouchingthisbarbarismsurpasseverythingthatisknowntomeinthisline。Suchinfamies，asarehererelated，arenowhereelsetobefound——yetweshallseethatthebourgeoisieconstantlyappealstothetestimonyoftheCommissionasbeinginitsownfavour。
Theconsequencesofthesecrueltiesbecameevidentquicklyenough。TheCommissionersmentionacrowdofcrippleswhoappearedbeforethem，whoclearlyowedtheirdistortiontothelongworking-hours。Thisdistortionusuallyconsistsofacurvingofthespinalcolumnandlegs，andisdescribedasfollowsbyFrancisSharp，M。R。C。S。，ofLeeds:”BeforeIcametoLeeds，Ihadneverseenthepeculiartwistingoftheendsofthelowerpartofthethighbone。AtfirstIconsidereditmightberickets，butfromthenumberswhichpresentedthemselves，particularlyatanagebeyondthetimewhenricketsattackchildren(between8and14)，andfindingthattheyhadcommencedsincetheybeganworkatthefactoryIsoonbegantochangemyopinion。Inowmayhaveseenofsuchcasesnearly100，andIcanmostdecidedlystatetheyweretheresultoftoomuchlabour。
SofarasIknowtheyallbelongtofactories，andhaveattributedtheirdiseasetothiscausethemselves。””Ofdistortionsofthespine，whichwereevidentlyowingtothelongstandingattheirlabour，perhapsthenumberofcasesmightnotbelessthan300。”PreciselysimilaristhetestimonyofDr。Hey，foreighteenyearsphysicianinthehospitalinLeeds:”Diseasesofthespineamongstpeopleemployedinfactoriespresentedthemselvesveryfrequently。Someweretheresultofpurelabour；
othersweretheresultoflabouronaconstitutionperhapscongenitallyweak，orrenderedfeeblebybadfood。Thedeformitiesofthelimbsappeartobemorefrequentthanthespinaldiseases……thebendinginoftheknees，relaxationoftheligamentsoftheankleswasveryfrequent，andthebendingofthelargebones。Theheadsofthelargeboneshaveespeciallybeenincreasedandtwistedtoaconsiderableextent；andthesecasesIhavefoundtohavecomefromthosemillsandfactorieswherelonghourshavebeensaidtobecommon。”SurgeonsBeaumontandSharp，ofBradford，bearthesametestimony。ThereportsofDrinkwater，Power，andDr。Loudoncontainamultitudeofexamplesofsuchdistortions，andthoseofTufnellandSirDavidBarry，whicharelessdirectedtothispoint，givesingleexamples。TheCommissionersforLancashire，Cowell，Tufnell，andHawkins，havealmostwhollyneglectedthisaspectofthephysiologicalresultsofthefactorysystem，thoughthisdistrictrivalsYorkshireinthenumberofcripples。IhaveseldomtraversedManchesterwithoutmeetingthreeorfourofthem，sufferingfrompreciselythesamedistortionsofthespinalcolumnsandlegsasthatdescribed，andIhaveoftenbeenabletoobservethemclosely。IknowonepersonallywhocorrespondsexactlywiththeforegoingdescriptionofDr。Hey，andwhogotintothisconditioninMr。Douglas’factoryinPendleton，anestablishmentwhichenjoysanunenviablenotorietyamongtheoperativesbyreasonoftheformerlongworkingperiodscontinuednightafternight。Itisevident，ataglance，whencethedistortionsofthesecripplescome；theyalllookexactlyalike。Thekneesarebentinwardandbackwards，theanklesdeformedandthick，andthespinalcolumnoftenbentforwardsortooneside。ButthecrownbelongstothephilanthropicmanufacturersoftheMacclesfieldsilkdistrict。Theyemployedtheyoungestchildrenofall，evenfromfivetosixyearsofage。InthesupplementarytestimonyofCommissionerTufnell，IfindthestatementofacertainfactorymanagerWright，bothofwhosesistersweremostshamefullycrippled，andwhohadoncecountedthecripplesinseveralstreets，someofthemthecleanestandneateststreetsofMacclesfield。
HefoundinTownleyStreetten，GeorgeStreetfive，CharlotteStreetfour，Watercotsfifteen，BankTopthree，LordStreetseven，MillLanetwelve，GreatGeorgeStreettwo，intheworkhousetwo，ParkGreenone，PeckfordStreettwo，whosefamiliesallunanimouslydeclaredthatthecrippleshadbecomesuchinconsequenceofoverworkinthesilk-twistingmills。Oneboyismentionedsocrippledasnottobeabletogoupstairs，andgirlsdeformedinbackandhips。
Otherdeformitiesalsohaveproceededfromthisoverwork，especiallyflatteningofthefoot，whichSirD。Barryfrequentlyobserved，asdidthephysiciansandsurgeonsinLeeds。Incases，inwhichastrongerconstitution，betterfood，andothermorefavourablecircumstancesenabledtheyoungoperativetoresistthiseffectofabarbarousexploitation，wefind，atleast，painintheback，hips，andlegs，swollenjoints，varicoseveins，andlarge，persistentulcersinthethighsandcalves。Theseaffectionsarealmostuniversalamongtheoperatives。ThereportsofStuart，Mackintosh，andSirD。Barrycontainhundredsofexamples；indeed，theyknowalmostnooperativewhodidnotsufferfromsomeoftheseaffections；andintheremainingreports，theoccurrenceofthesamephenomenaisattestedbymanyphysicians。
ThereportscoveringScotlandplaceitbeyondalldoubt，thataworking-dayofthirteenhours，evenformenandwomenfromeighteentotwenty-twoyearsofage，producesatleasttheseconsequences，bothintheflax-spinningmillsofDundeeandDunfermline，andinthecottonmillsofGlasgowandLanark。
Alltheseaffectionsareeasilyexplainedbythenatureoffactory-work，whichis，asthemanufacturerssay，very”light”，andpreciselybyreasonofitslightness，moreenervatingthananyother。Theoperativeshavelittletodo，butmuststandthewholetime。Anyonewhositsdown，sayuponawindow-ledgeorabasket，isfined，andthisperpetualuprightposition，thisconstantmechanicalpressureoftheupperportionsofthebodyuponspinalcolumn，hips，andlegs，inevitablyproducestheresultsmentioned。
Thisstandingisnotrequiredbytheworkitself，andatNottinghamchairshavebeenintroduced，withtheresultthattheseaffectionsdisappeared，andtheoperativesceasedtoobjecttothelengthoftheworking-day。Butinafactorywheretheoperativeworkssolelyforthebourgeois，andhassmallinterestindoinghisworkwell，hewouldprobablyusetheseatsmorethanwouldbeagreeableandprofitabletothemanufacturer；andinorderthatsomewhatlessrawmaterialmaybespoiledforthebourgeois，theoperativemustsacrificehealthandstrength。Thislongprotracteduprightposition，withthebadatmosphereprevalentinthemills，entails，besidesthedeformitiesmentioned，amarkedrelaxationofallvitalenergies，and，inconsequence，allsortsofotheraffectionsgeneralratherthanlocal。Theatmosphereofthefactoriesis，asarule，atoncedampandwarm，usuallywarmerthanisnecessary，and，whentheventilationisnotverygood，impure，heavy，deficientinoxygen，filledwithdustandthesmellofthemachineoil，whichalmosteverywheresmearsthefloor，sinksintoit，andbecomesrancid。Theoperativesarelightlycladbyreasonofthewarmth，andwouldreadilytakecoldincaseofirregularityofthetemperature；adraughtisdistastefultothem，thegeneralenervationwhichgraduallytakespossessionofallthephysicalfunctionsdiminishestheanimalwarmth:thismustbereplacedfromwithout，andnothingisthereforemoreagreeabletotheoperativethantohaveallthedoorsandwindowsclosed，andtostayinhiswarmfactoryair。Thencomesthesuddenchangeoftemperatureongoingoutintothecoldandwetorfrostyatmosphere，withoutthemeansofprotectionfromtherain，orofchangingwetclothingfordry，acircumstancewhichperpetuallyproducescolds。Andwhenonereflectsthat，withallthis，notonesinglemuscleofthebodyisreallyexercised，reallycalledintoactivity，exceptperhapsthoseofthelegs；
thatnothingwhatsoevercounteractstheenervating，relaxingtendencyofalltheseconditions；thateveryinfluenceiswantingwhichmightgivethemusclesstrength，thefibreselasticityandconsistency；thatfromyouthup，theoperativeisdeprivedofallfresh-airrecreation，itisimpossibletowonderatthealmostunanimoustestimonyofthephysiciansintheFactories’Report，thattheyfindagreatlackofabilitytoresistdisease，ageneraldepressioninvitalactivity，aconstantrelaxationofthementalandphysicalpowers。LetushearSirD。Barryfirst:Theunfavourableinfluencesofmill-workuponthehandsarethefollowing:”(1)Theindispensablenecessityofforcingboththeirmentalandbodilyexertionstokeepexactpacewiththemotionsofmachinerypropelledbyanunvarying，unceasingpower。(2)Thecontinuanceofanerectpostureforperiodsunnaturallyprolongedandtooquicklyrepeated。(5)Theprivationofsleep”(inconsequenceoftoolongworking-hours，paininthelegs，andgeneralphysicalderangement)。”Tothesecausesareoftenaddedlow，crowded，dusty，ordamprooms；impureair，heatedatmospheres，constantperspiration。Henceitisthatmalechildrenparticularly，aftertheyhaveworkedsometimeinmillslose——withveryfewexceptionsindeed——therosychubbinessofboyhood，andbecomepalerandthinnerthanboysnotsoemployedgenerallyare。Eventhedraw-boywhostandswithhisbarefeetontheearthenfloorofhismaster’sshoppreserveshisappearancemuchbetterthanthemill-boys，”becauseheoccasionallygoesintothefreshairforatime。”Butthemill-workerneverhasamoment’srespiteexceptatmeals，andnevergetsintotheopenairexceptwhenheisgoingtolookforthem。Alltheadultmalespinnersarepaleandthin；theyaresubjecttocapriciousappetiteanddyspepsia；allthespinnershavebeenbroughtupinthemillsfromtheirverychildhood，itisfairtoconcludethattheirmodeoflifeisnotfavourabletothedevelopmentofthemanlyforms，seeingthatfew，ornoneofthemaretallathleticmen。Femalesaremuchlessdeterioratedintheirappearancebymill-workthanmales。”(Verynaturally。
Butweshallseethattheyhavetheirowndiseases。)So，too，Power:”IcanhavenohesitationinstatingmybeliefthatalargemassofdeformityhasbeenproducedatBradfordbythefactorysystem……
Theeffectoflongandcontinuousworkupontheframeandlimbsisnotindicatedbyactualdeformityalone；amorecommonindicationofitisfoundinastuntedgrowth，relaxedmuscles，andslenderconformation。”So，too，F。Sharp，inLeeds，thesurgeon[11]alreadyquoted:WhenImovedfromScarboroughtoLeeds，”thegeneralappearanceofthechildreninLeedsimmediatelystruckmeasmuchmorepallid，andalsothefirmnessofthefibreasmuchinferioraswhatIhadseeninScarboroughandtheadjacentcountry。Observedalsomanytobemorediminutivefortheirage……Innumerablecasesofscrofula，affectionsofthelungs，mesenTericdiseases，anddyspepsia，havealsooccurred，whichIhavenodoubt，asaprofessionalman，wereawingtothesamecause”，themill-work。”ThenervousenergyofthebodyIconsidertobeweakenedbytheverylonghours，andafoundationlaidformanydiseases。Wereitnotfortheindividualswhojointhemillsfromthecountry，thefactorypeoplewouldsoonbedeteriorated。”So，too，Beaumont，surgeoninBradford:”Ialsoconsiderthesystemofworkinginthefactoriesinandaroundherenducesforthemostpartapeculiarlaxityofthewholesystem，renderingthechildrenhighlysusceptibleofeitherprevailingepidemicsorcasualmedicaldisorders……Icertainlyconsiderthewantofwholesomeregulationsinthemostofhefactories，whetherastoventilationorcleanliness，tobeproduniveinagreatneasureofthatpeculiartendencyorsusceptibilityofmorbidaffectionsofwhichnyownpracticeaffordsampleexperience。”SimilartestimonyisbornebyDr。Hey:(1)”Ihavehadanopportunityofobservingtheeffectofthefactorysysteminthehealthofchildrenunderthemostadvantageouscircumstances”
(inWood’smill，inBradford，thebestarrangedofthedistrict，inwhichhewasfactorysurgeon)。(2)”Thiseffectisdecidedly。and，toagreatextent，injurious，evenunderthosefavourablecircumstances。(3)Duringtheyear1832，three-fifthsofallthechildrenemployedinWood’smillhadmedicalassistancefromme；(4)Themostinjuriouseffectisnotintheprevalencyofdeformedbodies，butdebilitatedanddiseasedconstitutions，”
(5)Allthisisgreatlyimprovedsincetheworking-hoursofchildrenhavebeenreducedatWood’stoten。TheCommissioner，Dr。Loudonhimself，whositesthesewitnesses，says:”Ithinkithasbeenclearlyprovedthatchildrenhavebeenworkedamostunreasonableandcruellengthoftimedaily，andthatevenadultshavebeenexpectedtodoacertainquantityoflabourwhichscarcelyanyhumanbeingisabletoendure。Theresultofthishasbeen，thatmanyhavemetwithaprematuredeath；manyhavebeenaffectedconstitutionallyforlife；andtheideaofaposteritybeinginjuredfromtheshatteredframesofthesurvivorsis，physiologicallyspeaking，buttoowellfounded。”And，finally，Dr。Hawkins，inspeakingofManchester:”Ibelievethatmosttravellersarestruckbythelownessofstature，theleanness，andthepalenesswhichpresentthemselvessocommonlytotheeyeatManchester，andaboveall，amongthefactoryclasses。IhaveneverbeeninanytowninGreatBritainnorinEuropeinwhichdegeneracyofformandcolourfromthenationalstandardhasbeensoobvious。ThemarriedwomenfallremarkablyshortoftheusualcharacteristicsoftheEnglishwife……Icannothelpremarking，thattheboysandgirlswhomIexaminedfromtheManchesterfactoriesverygenerallyexhibitedadepressedlook，andapallidcomplexion；noneofthealacrity，activity，andhilarityofearlylifeshoneontheircountenancesandgestures。Alargenumberofboth，inreplytomyquestions，declaredthattheyhadnowishtoplayaboutontheSaturdayafternoonandontheSunday，butthattheypreferredremainingquiet。”Iadd，atonce，anotherpassageofHawkins’report，whichonlyhalfbelongshere，butmaybequotedhereaswellasanywhereelse:”Intemperance，debaucheryandimprovidencearethechiefblemishesonthecharacterofthefactoryworkpeople，andthoseevilsmayeasilybetracedtohabitsformedunderthepresentsystem，andspringingfromitalmostinevitably。Onallsidesitisadmittedthatindigestion，hypochondriasisandlanguoraffectthisclassofthepopulationverywidely。Aftertwelvehoursofmonotonouslabour，itisbuttoonaturaltoseekforstimulantsofonekindoranother；butwhenwesuperaddthemorbidstatesabovealludedto，thetransitiontospiritsisrapidandperpetual。”Forallthistestimonyofthephysiciansandcommissioners，thereportitselfoffershundredsofcasesofproof。Thatthegrowthofyoungoperativesisstunted，bytheirwork，hundredsofstatementstestify；amongothers，Cowellgivestheweightof46youthsof17yearsofage，fromoneSundayschool，ofwhom26employedinmills，averaged104。5pounds，and20notemployedinmills，117。7pounds。OneofthelargestmanufacturersofManchester，leaderoftheoppositionagainsttheworking-men，IthinkRobertHydeGreghimself，said，ononeoccasion，thatifthingswentonasatpresent，theoperativesofLancashirewouldsoonbearaceofpigmies。Arecruitingofficertestifiedthatoperativesarelittleadaptedformilitaryservice，lookedthinandnervous，andwerefrequentlyrejectedbythesurgeonsasunfit。InManchesterhecouldhardlygetmenoffivefeeteightinches；
theywereusuallyonlyfivefeetsixtoseven，whereasintheagriculturaldistricts，mostoftherecruitswerefivefeeteight。
Themenwearoutveryearlyinconsequenceoftheconditionsunderwhichtheyliveandwork。Mostofthemareunfitforworkatfortyyears，afewholdouttoforty-five，almostnonetofiftyyearsofage。Thisiscausednotonlybythegeneralenfeeblementoftheframe，butalsoveryoftenbyafailureofthesight，whichisaresultofmule-spinning，inwhichtheoperativeisobligedtofixhisgazeuponalongrowoffine，parallelthreads，andsogreatlyto，strainthesight。
Of1，600operativesemployedinseveralfactoriesinHarpurandLanark，but10wereover45yearsofage；of22，094operativesindiversefactoriesinStockportandManchester，but145wereover45yearsold。Ofthese143，16wereretainedasaspecialfavour，andonewasdoingtheworkofachild。
Alistof131spinnerscontainedbutsevenover45years，andyetthewhole151wererejectedbythemanufacturers，towhomtheyappliedforwork，as”tooold”，’andwerewithoutmeansofsupportbyreasonofoldage！
Mr。Ashworth，alargemanufacturer，admitsinalettertoLordAshley，that，towardsthefortiethyear，thespinnerscannolongerpreparetherequiredquantityofyarn，andaretherefore’sometimes”discharged；hecallsoperativesfortyyearsofage”oldpeople”！CommissionerMackintoshexpresseshimselfinthesamewayinthereportof1833:”Althoughpreparedbyseeingchildhoodoccupiedinsuchamanner，itisverydifficulttobelievetheageofthemenadvancedinyearsasgivenbythemselves，socompleteiatheirprematureoldage。”SurgeonSmellieofGlasgow，whotreatedoperativeschiefly，sayshatfortyyearsisoldageforthem。Andsimilarevidencemayefoundelsewhere。
InManchester，thisprematureoldageamongtheoperativesissouniversalthatalmosteverymanoffortywouldbetakenfortentofifteenyearsolder，whiletheprosperousclasses，menaswellaswomen，preservetheirappearanceexceedinglywelliftheydonotdrinktooheavily。
Theinfluenceoffactory-workuponthefemalephysiquealsoismarkedandpeculiar。Thedeformitiesentailedbylonghoursofworkaremuchmoreseriousamongwomen。Protractedworkfrequentlycausesdeformitiesofthepelvis，partlyintheshapeofabnormalpositionanddevelopmentofthehipbones，partlyofmalformationofthelowerportionofthespinalcolumn，”Although，”saysDr。Loudoninhisreport，”nocasespresentedthemselvesofdeformedpelvis，andsomeothersofthediseaseswhichhavebeendescribed，yettheirailmentsaresuchaseverymedicalmanmustexpecttobetheprobableconsequences”ofsuchworking-hoursforyoungpeople，”andtheyarerecordedbymenofthehighestprofessionalandmoralcharacter”。Thatfactoryoperativesundergomoredifficultconfinementthanotherwomenistestifiedtobyseveralmidwivesandaccoucheurs，andalsothattheyaremoreliabletomiscarriage。Moreover，theysufferfromthegeneralenfeeblementcommontoalloperatives，and，whenpregnant，continuetoworkinthefactoryuptothehourofdelivery，becauseotherwisetheylosetheirwagesandaremadetofearthattheymaybereplacediftheystopawaytoosoon。Itfrequentlyhappensthatwomenareatworkoneeveninganddeliveredthenextmorning，andthecaseisnonetoorareoftheirbeingdeliveredinthefactoryamongthemachinery。Andifthegentlemenofthebourgeoisiefindnothingparticularlyshockinginthis，theirwiveswillperhapsadmitthatitisapieceofcruelty，aninfamousactofbarbarism，indirectlytoforceapregnantwomantoworktwelveorthirteenhoursdaily(formerlystilllonger)，uptothedayofherdelivery；inastandingposition，withfrequentstoopings。Butthisisnotall。Ifthesewomenarenotobligedtoresumeworkwithintwoweeks，theyarethankful，andcountthemselvesfortunate。Manycomebacktothefactoryaftereight，andevenafterthreetofourdays，toresumefullwork。Ionceheardamanufactureraskanoverlooker；”Issoandsonotbackyet？””No。””Howlongsinceshewasconfined。””A
week。””Shemightsurelyhavebeenbacklongago。Thatoneoverthereonlystaysthreedays。”Naturally，fearofbeingdischarged，dreadofstarvationdriveshertothefactoryinspiteofherweakness，indefianceofherpain。Theinterestofthemanufacturerwillnotbrookthathisemployeesstayathomebyreasonofillness；theymustnotbeill，theymustnotventuretoliestillthroughalongconfinement，orhemuststophismachineryortroublehissupremeheadwithatemporarychangeofarrangements；andratherthandothis，hedischargeshispeoplewhentheybegintobeill。
Listen:Agirlfeelsveryill，canscarcelydoherwork。”Whydon’tyouaskforleavetostayaway？””Well，sir，themasterisqueeratlettingusoff；ifweareoffaquarterofadaywestandachanceofbeingturnedaway。”OrSirD。Barry:ThomasMcDurt，workman，hasslightfever。”Cannotventuretobeoffworkmorethanfourdays，forfearoflosinghiswork。”Andsoitgoesoninalmostallthefactories。Theemploymentofyounggirlsproducesallsortsofirregularitiesduringtheperiodofdevelopment。
Insome，especiallythosewhoarebetterfed，theheatofthefactorieshastensthisprocess，sothatinsinglecases，girlsofthirteenandfourteenarewhollymature。Roberton，whomIhavealreadycited(mentionedintheFactories’InquiryCommission’sReportasthe”eminent”gynaecologistofManchester)，relatesintheNorthofEnglandMedicalandSurgicalJournal，thathehadseenagirlofelevenyearswhowasnotonlyawhollydevelopedwoman，butpregnant，andthatitwasbynomeansrareinManchesterforwomentobeconfinedatfifteenyearsofage)。Insuchcases，theinfluenceofthewarmthofthefactoriesisthesameasthatofatropicalclimate，and，asinsuchclimates，theabnormallyearlydevelopmentrevengesitselfbycorrespondinglyprematureageanddebility。Ontheotherhand，retardeddevelopmentofthefemaleconstitutionoccurs，thebreastsmaturelateornotatall。Menstruationfirstappearsintheseventeenthoreighteenth，sometimesinthetwentiethyear，andisoftenwhollywanting。Irregularmenstruation，coupledwithgreatpainandnumerousaffections，especiallywithanaemia，isveryfrequent，asthemedicalreportsunanimouslystate。
Childrenofsuchmothers，particularlyofthosewhoareobligedtoworkduringpregnancy，cannotbevigorous。Theyare，onthecontrary，describedinthereport，especiallyinManchester，asveryfeeble；andBarryaloneassertsthattheyarehealthy，butsaysfurther，thatinScotland，wherehisinspectionlay，almostnomarriedwomenworkedinfactories。Moreover，mostofthefactoriesthereareinthecountry(withtheexceptionofGlasgow)，acircumstancewhichcontributesgreatlytotheinvigorationofthechildren。
Theoperatives’childrenintheneighbourhoodofManchesterarenearlyallthrivingandrosy，whilethosewithinthecitylookpaleandscrofulous；
butwiththeninthyearthecolourvanishessuddenly，becauseallarethensentintothefactories，whenitsoonbecomesimpossibletodistinguishthecountryfromthecitychildren。
Butbesidesallthis，therearesomebranchesoffactory-workwhichhaveanespeciallyinjuriouseffect。Inmanyroomsofthecottonandflax-spinningmills，theairisfilledwithfibrousdust，whichproduceschestaffections，especiallyamongworkersinthecardingandcombing-rooms。Someconstitutionscanbearit，somecannot；buttheoperativehasnochoice。Hemusttaketheroominwhichhefindswork，whetherhischestissoundornot。Themostcommoneffectsofthisbreathingofdustareblood-spitting，hard，noisybreathing，painsinthechest，coughs，sleeplessness——inshort，allthesymptomsofasthmaendingintheworstcasesinconsumption。Especiallyunwholesomeisthewetspinningoflinen-yarnwhichiscarriedonbyyounggirlsandboys。Thewaterspirtsoverthemfromthespindle，sothatthefrontoftheirclothingisconstantlywetthroughtotheskin；andthereisalwayswaterstandingonthefloor。Thisisthecasetoalessdegreeinthedoubling-roomsofthecottonmills，andtheresultisaconstantsuccessionofcoldsandaffectionsofthechest。Ahoarse，roughvoiceiscommontoalloperatives，butespeciallytowetspinnersanddoublers。
Stuart，Mackintosh，andSirD。Barryexpressthemselvesinthemostvigoroustermsastotheunwholesomenessofthiswork，andthesmallconsiderationshownbymostofthemanufacturersforthehealthofthegirlswhodoit。
Anothereffectofflax-spinningisapeculiardeformityoftheshoulder，especiallyaprojectionoftherightshoulder-blade，consequentuponthenatureofthework。Thissortofspinningandthethrostle-spinningofcottonfrequentlyproducediseasesoftheknee-pan，whichisusedtocheckthespindleduringthejoiningofbrokenthreads。Thefrequentstoopingandthebendingtothelowmachinescommontoboththesebranchesofworkhave，ingeneral，astuntingeffectuponthegrowthoftheoperative。Inthethrostle-roomofthecottonmillatManchester，inwhichIwasemployed，Idonotremembertohaveseenonesingletall，well-builtgirl；theywereallshort，dumpy，andbadly-formed，decidedlyuglyinthewholedevelopmentofthefigure。Butapartfromallthesediseasesandmalformations，thelimbsoftheoperativessufferinstillanotherway。Theworkbetweenthemachinerygivesrisetomultitudesofaccidentsofmoreorlessseriousnature，whichhavefortheoperativethesecondaryeffectofunfittinghimforhisworkmoreorlesscompletely。Themostcommonaccidentisthesqueezingoffofasinglejointofafinger，somewhatlesscommonthelossofthewholefinger，halforawholehand，anarm，etc。，inthemachinery。
Lockjawveryoftenfollows，evenuponthelesseramongtheseinjuries，andbringsdeathwithit。Besidesthedeformedpersons，agreatnumberofmaimedonesmaybeseengoingaboutinManchester；thisonehaslostanarmorapartofone，thatoneafoot，thethirdhalfaleg；itislikelivinginthemidstofanarmyjustreturnedfromacampaign。Butthemostdangerousportionofthemachineryisthestrappingwhichconveysmotivepowerfromtheshafttotheseparatemachines，especiallyifitcontainsbuckles，which，however，arerarelyusednow。Whoeverisseizedbythestrapiscarriedupwithlightningspeed，thrownagainsttheceilingaboveandfloorbelowwithsuchforcethatthereisrarelyawholeboneleftinthebody，anddeathfollowsinstantly。BetweenJune12thandAugust3rd，1844，theManchesterGuardianreportedthefollowingseriousaccidents(thetriflingonesitdoesnotnotice):June12th，aboydiedinManchesteroflockjaw，causedbyhishandbeingcrushedbetweenwheels。
June15th，ayouthinSaddleworthseizedbyawheelandcarriedawaywithit；died，utterlymangled。June29th，ayoungmanatGreenAcresMoor，nearManchester，atworkinamachineshop，fellunderthegrindstone，whichbroketwoofhisribsandlaceratedhimterribly。July24th，agirlinOldhamdied，carriedaroundfiftytimesbyastrap；noboneunbroken。
July27th，agirlinManchesterseizedbytheblower(thefirstmachinethatreceivestherawcotton)，anddiedofinjuriesreceived。August3rd，abobbinsturnerdiedinDukenfield，caughtinastrap，everyribbroken。
Intheyear1842，theManchesterInfirmarytreated962casesofwoundsandmutilationscausedbymachinery，whilethenumberofallotheraccidentswithinthedistrictofthehospitalwas2，426，sothatforfiveaccidentsfromallothercauses，twowerecausedbymachinery。TheaccidentswhichhappenedinSalfordarenotincludedhere，northosetreatedbysurgeonsinprivatepractice。Insuchcases，whetherornottheaccidentunfitsthevictimforfurtherwork，theemployer，atbest，paysthedoctor，or，inveryexceptionalcases，hemaypaywagesduringtreatment；whatbecomesoftheoperativeafterwards，incasehecannotwork，isnoconcernoftheemployer。
TheFactoryReportsaysonthissubject，thatemployersmustbemaderesponsibleforallcases，sincechildrencannottakecare，andadultswilltakecareintheirowninterest。Butthegentlemenwhowritethereportarebourgeois，andsotheymustcontradictthemselvesandbringuplaterallsortsofboshonthesubjectoftheculpabletemerityoftheoperatives。
Thestateofthecaseisthis:Ifchildrencannottakecare，theemploymentofchildrenmustbeforbidden。Ifadultsarereckless，theymustbemereovergrownchildrenonaplaneofintelligencewhichdoesnotenablethemtoappreciatethedangerinitsfullscope；andwhoistoblameforthisbutthebourgeoisiewhichkeepstheminaconditioninwhichtheirintelligencecannotdevelop？Orthemachineryisill-arranged，andmustbesurroundedwithfencing，tosupplywhichfallstotheshareofthebourgeoisie。Ortheoperativeisunderinducementswhichoutweighthethreateneddanger；
hemustworkrapidlytoearnhiswages，hasnotimetotakecare，andforthis，too，thebourgeoisieistoblame。Manyaccidentshappen，forinstance，whiletheoperativesarecleaningmachineryinmotion。Why？Becausethebourgeoiswouldotherwiseobligetheworkertocleanthemachineryduringthefreehourswhileitisnotgoing，andtheworkernaturallyisnotdisposedtosacrificeanypartofhisfreetime。Everyfreehourissoprecioustotheworkerthatheoftenriskshislifetwiceaweekratherthansacrificeoneofthemtothebourgeois。Lettheemployertakefromworking-hoursthetimerequiredforcleaningthemachinery，anditwillneveragainoccurtoanoperativetocleanmachineryinmotion。Inshort，fromwhateverpointofview，theblamefallsultimatelyonthemanufacturer，andofhimshouldberequired，attheveryleast，life-longsupportoftheincapacitatedoperative，andsupportofthevictim’sfamilyincasedeathfollowstheaccident。Intheearliestperiodofmanufacture，theaccidentsweremuchmorenumerousinproportionthannow，forthemachinerywasinferior，smaller，morecrowded，andalmostneverfenced。Butthenumberisstilllargeenough，astheforegoingcasesprove，toarousethegravequestionastoastateofthingswhichpermitssomanydeformitiesandmutilationsforthebenefitofasingleclass，andplungessomanyindustriousworking-peopleintowantandstarvationbyreasonofinjuriesundergoneintheserviceandthroughthefaultofthebourgeoisie。
Aprettylistofdiseasesengenderedpurelybythehatefulmoney-greedofthemanufacturers！Womenmadeunfitforchild-bearing，childrendeformed，menenfeebled，limbscrushed，wholegenerationswrecked，afflictedwithdiseaseandinfirmity，purelytofillthepursesofthebourgeoisie。Andwhenonereadsofthebarbarismofsinglecases，howchildrenareseizednakedinbedbytheoverlookers，anddrivenwithblowsandkickstothefactory，theirclothingovertheirarms，howtheirsleepinessisdrivenoffwithblows，howtheyfallasleepovertheirworknevertheless，howonepoorchildsprangup，stillasleep，atthecalloftheoverlooker，andmechanicallywentthroughtheoperationsofitsworkafteritsmachinewasstopped；whenonereadshowchildren，tootiredtogohome，hideawayinthewoolinthedrying-roomtosleepthere，andcouldonlybedrivenoutofthefactorywithstraps；howmanyhundredscamehomesotiredeverynight，thattheycouldeatnosupperforsleepinessandwantofappetite，thattheirparentsfoundthemkneelingbythebedside，wheretheyhadfallenasleepduringtheirprayers；whenonereadsallthisandahundredothervillainiesandinfamiesinthisonereport，alltestifiedtoonoath，confirmedbyseveralwitnesses，deposedbymenwhomthecommissionersthemselvesdeclaretrustworthy；whenonereflectsthatthisisaLiberalreport，abourgeoisreport，madeforthepurposeofreversingthepreviousToryreport，andrehabilitatingthepurenessofheartofthemanufacturers，thatthecommissionersthemselvesareonthesideofthebourgeoisie，andreportallthesethingsagainsttheirownwill，howcanonebeotherwisethanfilledwithwrathandresentmentagainstaclasswhichboastsofphilanthropyandself-sacrifice，whileitsoneobjectistofillitspurseatoutprix？Meanwhile，letuslistentothebourgeoisiespeakingthroughthemouthofitschosenapostle，Dr。Ure，whorelatesinhisPhilosophyofManufacturesthattheworkershavebeentoldthattheirwagesborenoproportiontotheirsacrifices，thegoodunderstandingbetweenmastersandmenbeingthusdisturbed。Insteadofthis，theworking-menshouldhavestriventorecommendthemselvesbyattentionandindustry，andshouldhaverejoicedintheprosperityoftheirmasters。Theywouldthenbecomeoverseers，superintendents，andfinallypartners，andwouldthus——(Oh！Wisdom，thouspeakestasthedove！)——”haveincreasedatthesametimethedemandfortheircompanions’labourinthemarket！””Haditnotbeenfortheviolentcollisionsandinterruptionsresultingfromerroneousviewsamongtheoperatives，thefactorysystemwouldhavebeendevelopedstillmorerapidlyandbeneficially。”HereuponfollowsalongJeremiaduponthespiritofresistanceoftheoperatives，andontheoccasionofastrikeofthebest-paidworkers，thefinespinners，thefollowingnaiveobservation*”Infact，itwastheirhighwageswhichenabledthemtomaintainastipendiarycommitteeinaffluence，andtopamperthemselvesintonervousailments，byadiettoorichandexcitingfortheirindooremployments。”Letushearhowthebourgeoisdescribestheworkofchildren:”Ihavevisitedmanyfactories，bothinManchesterandinthesurroundingdistricts，duringaperiodofseveralmonths，enteringthespinning-roomsunexpectedly，andoftenalone，atdifferenttimesoftheday，andIneversawasingleinstanceofcorporalchastisementinflictedonachild；nor，indeed，didIeverseechildreninill-humour。Theyseemedtobealwayscheerfulandalert；takingpleasureinthelightplayoftheirmuscles，enjoyingthemobilitynaturaltotheirage。Thesceneofindustry，sofarfromexcitingsademotions，inmymind，wasalwaysexhilarating。
Itwasdelightfultoobservethenimblenesswithwhichtheypiecedbrokenends，asthemulecarriagebegantorecedefromthefixedrollerbeam，andtoseethematleisure，afterafewseconds’exerciseoftheirtinyfingers，toamusethemselvesinanyattitudetheychose，tillthestretchandwindingonwereoncemorecompleted。Theworkoftheselivelyelvesseemedtoresembleasport，inwhichhabitgavethemapleasingdexterity。
Consciousoftheirskill，theyweredelightedtoshowitofftoanystranger。
Astoexhaustionbytheday’swork，theyevincednotraceofitonemergingfromthemillintheevening；fortheyimmediatelybegantoskipaboutanyneighbouringplay-ground，andtocommencetheirlittlegameswiththesamealacrityasboysissuingfromaschool。”Naturally！Asthoughtheimmediatemovementofeverymusclewerenotanurgentnecessityforframesgrownatoncestiffandrelaxed！ButUreshouldhavewaitedtoseewhetherthismomentaryexcitementhadnotsubsidedafteracoupleofminutes。Andbesides，Urecouldseethiswholeperformanceonlyintheafternoonafterfiveorsixhours’work，butnotintheevening！
Astothehealthoftheoperatives，thebourgeoishastheboundlessimpudencetocitethereportof1833justquotedinathousandplaces，astestimonyfortheexcellenthealthofthesepeople；totrytoprovebydetachedandgarbledquotationsthatnotraceofscrofulacanbefoundamongthem，and，whatisquitetrue，thatthefactorysystemfreesthemfromallacutediseases(thattheyhaveeveryvarietyofchronicaffectioninsteadhenaturallyconceals)。ToexplaintheimpudencewithwhichourfriendUrepalmsoffthegrossestfalsehoodsupontheEnglishpublic，itmustbeknownthatthereportconsistsofthreelargefoliovolumes，whichitneveroccurstoawell-fedEnglishbourgeoistostudythrough。LetushearfurtherhowheexpresseshimselfastotheFactoryActof1833，passedbytheLiberalbourgeoisie，andimposingonlythemostmeagrelimitationsuponthemanufacturers，asweshallsee。Thislaw，especiallyitscompulsoryeducationclause，hecallsanabsurdanddespoticmeasuredirectedagainstthemanufacturers，throughwhichallchildrenundertwelveyearsofagehavebeenthrownoutofemployment；andwithwhatresults？Thechildrenthusdischargedfromtheirlightandusefuloccupationreceivenoeducationwhatsoever；castoutfromthewarmspinning-roomintoacoldworld，theysubsistonlybybeggingandstealing，alifeinsadcontrastwiththeirsteadilyimprovingconditioninthefactoryandinSundayschool。Underthemaskofphilanthropy，thislawintensifiesthesufferingsofthepoor，andwillgreatlyrestricttheconscientiousmanufacturerinhisusefulwork，if，indeed，itdoesnotwhollystophim。
