ABSTRACT
On my arrival here, I waited upon several gentlemen, and workmen, who, I had been told, would be likely to assist me in my inquiries. By these per sons I was received very kindly, and to them I am chiefly indebted for the information I have gained. Availing myself of their proffered assistance, I commenced an investigation of every thing which I thought might tend to throw any light upon the object I had in view. Under their direction, I visited the factories, the cottages, cellars, tavems, and other places likely to afford me an insight into the manners and customa of the manufacturers, and their work-people; and have conversed with men of all grades in society, who have freely given me their opinions as to the cause of the prevailing distress in this town and neighbourhood. I now lay before your Lordship the result of my inquiries, so far as I have been able to proceed, and to-morrow
will (if spared) resume the subject in another letter. — The condition of the women and children em ployed in the factories, first attracted my attention; which I find is equally as bad here as at those places I have previously yisited. The education of the children, it would seem, does not occupy much of the care of the manufacturers, for out of forty fac tories in this place, I have not heard of a single instance of a school having been erected on the premises; the education clause in the Factories’ Regu lation Act, appears little better than a dead letter.
