SECT. XXXVII.] RESULTS OF THE INQUIRY. 315 



the Irish in Hyde and Dukinfield with those in Manches- 

 ter, but also with those in Stayley Bridge in the imme- 

 diate neighbourhood, where the Irish, having been left to 

 shift for themselves, have taken possession of low, con- 

 fined and unwholesome tenements, which in some cases 

 have been built for their express accommodation. Every- 

 thing connected with the state of the Irish in Great Britain 

 shows that their mode of life is very slowly and very slightly 

 improved^ unless some civilizing influence descends upon 

 them from above, some external moving force independent 

 of their own volition, as of masters, employers, superin- 

 tendents, education, municipal regulations, etc. Wherever 

 they are untouched by any influence of this kind, they ap- 

 pear for the most part either to remain the same, or even to 

 deteriorate, whatever may be the amount of their earnings" 



It is very gratifying to us to add the following testi- 

 mony to the character of the Irish labourers in England, 

 which we take from the evidence of Mr. James Holmes of 

 Birmingham, and which is given in Mr. Lewis's Report. 



" The Irish labourers will work any time ; the generality 

 are very industrious and very honest. I have some who 

 worked for me ten years, and I never knew anything 

 against their honesty ; they are much trusted about houses, 

 and there are no complaints against them. If one among 

 them is detected in a petty theft, the others will avoid 

 him. I consider them very valuable labourers, and we 

 could not do without them. By treating them kindly, 

 they will do anything for you. I would trust them in 

 anything about my house. Before I came to Birming- 

 ham, I could not bear the thoughts of an Irishman ; now 

 I would sooner have an Irishman than an Englishman for 

 a labourer. An Englishman could not do the work they 



