66 Factory Work. [OHAP. TI. 
night before nine. It was delightful in summer, but dreary 
in winter, when they went and came in the cold dark nights 
and mornings. The wages of the boys were at first from 
three to four shillings a week each, and before they left the 
mill their wages were from five to six shillings a week. 
The boys were first put into the heckling shop. They 
were next transferred to a small mill at the end of the 
larger one. Young Edward worked there. His business 
was to attend at the back of a breaker—to take away the 
cases when they were full, and put empty ones in their 
places. He was next set to attend two carding-machines ; 
and from these to the roving or spinning side, three of 
which he frequently kept before he left. This was the 
highest work done in that room. 
“People may say of factories what they please,” says 
Edward, “but I liked this factory. It was a happy time 
for me while I remained there. It was situated in the 
centre of a beautiful valley, almost embowered among tall 
and luxuriant hedges of hawthorn, with water-courses and 
shadowy trees between, and large woods and plantations 
beyond. It teemed with nature and natural objects. The 
woods were easy of access during our meal-hours. What 
lots of nests! What insects, wild flowers, and plants, the 
like of which I had never seen before! Prominent among 
the birds was the sedge warbler,* which lay concealed in 
the reedy copses, or by the margin of the mill-lades. Oh! 
how I wondered at the little thing! how it contrived to imi- 
tate almost all the other birds I had ever heard! and none 
to greater perfection than the chirrup of my old and special 
favorite, the sparrow.” 
One day he saw a kingfisher—a great event in his life! 
What a beautiful bird! What a sparkling gem of nature! 
Resplendent in plumage and gorgeous in color—from the 
* Called also the English mocking-bird, and the Scottish nightin- 
gale. 
