Ch. xiii. affects the Condition of the Poor. 221 



disposing causes to sickness and debility, and 

 particularly to the epidemic fever which is so 

 generally to be met with in these factories. It 

 is also much to be questioned if society does 

 not receive detriment from the manner in which 

 children are thus employed during their early 

 years. They are not generally strong to labour, 

 or capable of pursuing any other branch of bu- 

 siness when the term of their apprenticeship 

 expires. The females are wholly uninstructed 

 in sewing, knitting, and other domestic affairs 

 requisite to make them notable and frugal wives 

 and mothers. This is a very great misfortune 

 to them and to the public, as is sadly proved 

 by a comparison of the families of labourers in 

 husbandry and those of manufacturers in gene- 

 ral. In the former we meet with neatness, 

 cleanliness, and comfort; in the latter with filth, 

 rags, and poverty, although their wages may be 

 nearly double to those of the husbandman. It 

 must be added, that the want of early religious 

 instruction and example, and the numerous and 

 indiscriminate association in these buildings, 

 are very unfavourable to their future conduct 

 in life."* 



* P. 219. Dr. Aikin says tlmt endeavours have been made to 

 remedy these evils, which in some factories have been attended 

 with success. And it is ^very satisfactory to be able to add, that, 

 since this account was written, the situation of the children em- 

 ployed in the cotton-mills has been further very essentially im- 

 proved, partly by the interference of the legislature, and partly by 

 the humane anil liberal exertions of individuals. 



