LONDON WORKERS, SECULARISTS, ETC. 101 



of experienced and independent visitors. In 1819 the town 

 of Leeds sent a deputation, consisting of Mr. Edward Baines, 

 Mr. Robert Oastler, and Mr. John Cawood, to report on the 

 character and condition of the workers at New Lanark. 

 They spent four days in a careful inspection and examination 

 of the whole establishment, and the following are a few ex- 

 tracts from their general report. Speaking first of the chil- 

 dren in the schools, from two to ten years of age, they say, 

 " They appear like one well-regulated family, united together 

 by the ties of the closest affection. We heard no quarrels 

 from the youngest to the eldest; and so strongly impressed 

 are they with the conviction that to be happy themselves it is 

 necessary to make those happy by whom they are surrounded, 

 that they had no strife but in the offices of kindness." 



" The next class of the population in the Lanark estab- 

 lishments consists of boys and girls between ten and seventeen 

 years of age. These are all employed in the mill, and in the 

 evening from seven to half-past eight o'clock they pursue their 

 education. The deportment of these young people is very 

 exemplary. In business they are regular and diligent, and 

 in their manners they are mild and engaging." 



" In the adult inhabitants of New Lanark we saw much to 

 commend. In general they appeared clean, healthy, and sober. 

 Intoxication, the parent of so many vices and so much misery, 

 is indeed almost unknown here. The consequence is that they 

 are well clad, well fed, and their dwellings are inviting. 

 . . . In this well-regulated colony, where almost everything 

 is made that is wanted by either the manufactory or its in- 

 habitants, no cursing or swearing is anywhere to be heard. 

 There are no quarrelsome men or brawling women." 



Every visitor to New Lanark who published any account of 

 his observations seems to have agreed as to the exceptional 

 health, good conduct, and well-being of the entire population ; 

 while residents in the vicinity, as well as the ruling authorities 

 of the district, bore witness that vice and crime were almost 

 wholly unknown. And it must be remembered that this was 

 all effected upon the chance population found there, which 

 was certainly no better if no worse than the usual lowest 



