to the Prosperity of the Working Classes. 309 



fashion often in this way produce extensive wretchedness. 

 If, then, I do not hence conclude that the world remain 

 stationary, but still desire advancement in the general pro- 

 gress of society, I am far from maintaining that we should 

 be indifferent to the individual sufferings, of which this pro- 

 gress is the momentary cause. The authorities, always 

 watching for new inventions, seldom fail to reach them with 

 their fiscal regulations. Would it be too much to ask, that 

 the first contributions levied on the successful exercise of 

 genius, should be appropriated to the opening of spacious 

 workshops, in which the workmen deprived of employment 

 might for a time find occupation suitable to their powers 

 and intelligence ? This course has sometimes been followed 

 with success, and why should it not be generalized ? Hu- 

 manity demands it as a duty ; sound policy dictates it ; and, 

 Avere other inducements necessary, sad events, whoso history 

 is not yet forgotten, strongly recommend it on economical 

 grounds. 



To the objections of the theorists, who appi'ehended that 

 the progi'ess of machinery would reduce the working classes 

 to a state of total inactivity, have succeeded difficulties of 

 quite a different character, on which it seems indispensable we 

 should for a few moments dwell. 



By superseding, in our manufactories, every exertion of 

 great masculine strength, machinery permits the introduction 

 of a great number of children of both sexes ; and the cupidity 

 of their parents has a tendency to abuse the opportunity. 

 The hours of labour are made to surpass all bounds ; and 

 for the daily bait of a few pence, minds, which education 

 would enlighten, are sacrificed to enduring brutalization 

 whilst the bodily frame is blighted for want of that develop- 

 ment which the enjoyment of the air and sun rarely fails to 

 bring along with it. Under these circumstances, to insist that 

 the Legislature should put a stop to this shameful oppression 

 — to urge forward measures calculated to contend with the 

 demoralization which is the usual consequence of numerous 

 meetings of the young persons employed — to endeavour to in- 

 troduce, and nudtiply in our cottages, various imjjlements, by 

 which, according to the season, the labours of agriculture might 



