The Peasantry of England; An Appeal to the Nobility, Clergy and Gentry on Behalf of the Working Classes (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1846 edition. Excerpt: ...career in his new sphere of action, he had not a full opportunity of discovering the bar which his lack of education had placed in the way of his retaining his situation, as he was not entrusted to go out alone; but in the course of the second week, having to deliver sundry parcels at inns where country carriers put up, a book was given him, in which it was necessary for him to make entries of the parcels delivered, and of the names of the parties to whose care they were consigned, and various other memoranda. Poor Thomas it was a trying hour to him when the cup which he had just raised to his lips was dashed for ever from his hand. He not only could not write, but the plainest English handwriting was to him as unintelligible as the characters of the Persic language. And here was an end to all his hopes. In the fulness and bitterness of his grief and vexation he wept aloud. Several of the other porters of the establishment sincerely sympathized with him, and contributed a small sum to assist him till he should obtain a situation which did not require the art of penmanship; and one of the gentlemen of the firm spoke very kindly to him; advised him to do his best to acquire the art of writing and a knowledge of figures; desired him to let him know if he should ever succeed in acquiring these accomplishments; and not only paid him the full amount of that week's wages, although that was but the Tuesday, but gave him five half-crowns additional, to defray his expenses homewards. And homewards poor Thomas bent his steps; and so well did he husband the little that he had earned in London, and the additional sums which he had received, and so economic was the mode of travelling which he adopted, that, on reaching his mother's house, though he had a sad...