The North of England Magazine [Afterw.] the North of England Magazine, and Bradshaw's Journal of Politics, Literature, Science and Art (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. 1843 Excerpt: ... THE PHYSICAL AND MORAL CONDITION OF THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS EMPLOYED IN MINES AND MANUFACTURES.--London: Parker, 1843. The result of the labours of the commissioners for inquiring into the employment of children and young persons in mines and collieries, and in the trades and manufactures in which numbers of them work together, is here laid before the public in a cheap and condensed form. Those employed in cotton, wool, silk, and flax factories are not here included. We are desirous of assisting, as far as possible, in calling public attention to the deeply interesting and important facts contained in this publication. Its perusal has impressed us with the conviction that though the entire removal of the evils disclosed is scarcely to be looked for, yet that much may be done towards their mitigation. The general diffusion of information as to the real condition of the children and young persons engaged in labour must itself have a beneficial tendency, and will afford the only secure basis for the advocacy of measures really calculated to effect improvement. We cannot but think that the Legislature has yet some duty to perform in the protection of weak and inexperienced childhood against the impositions and exactions of unprincipled employers and selfish parents, as well as in facilitating the exposure of every wrong and injustice which may be perpetrated. A very manifest and onerous duty rests with employers, to protect the health and moral and intellectual welfare of those in their employ. It is lamentable that so few of them appear to be sensible of this responsibility. But it is at the same time matter of congratulation that various instances have proved how much good masters have it in their power to effect, and we may fairly hope that, when the...