[Anon.], ‘A Lancashire Holiday’, Quiver (1864)

Those who have had the misfortune to behold Lancashire under the gloomy and disheartening aspect consequent on the occurrence of the recent terrible calamity, which reduced so many of its industrious workers to the lowest depths of poverty and misery, would have been agreeably surprised could they have traversed the same district towards the commencement of the present summer. The greater portion of the festivities in which the children participate are got up under the management of the various superintendents, committees, and others connected with the Lancashire Sunday-schools, of which there are no less than 163, comprising 58,340 children and 5,951 teachers in Manchester alone.