Commemoration Volume

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. 1915. Excerpt: ... formed the basis of the story of Mary Barton written by Mrs. Gaskell. The author dwells on the bitterness on the part of the poor. The most deplorable and enduring evil that arose out of the period of commercial depression to which I refer, was this feeling of alienation between the different classes of society. It is so impossible to describe, or even faintly to picture, the state of distress which prevailed in the town at that time, that I will not attempt it; yet I think again that surely in a Christian land, it was not known so feebly as words could tell it, or the more fortunate and happy would have thronged with their sympathy and aid. In many instances the sufferers wept first and then cursed. Their vindictive feelings exhibited themselves in rabid politics. And when I hear, as I have heard, of the sufferings and privations of the poor, of provision shops where ha'porths of tea, sugar, butter and even flour were sold to accommodate the indigent--of parents sitting in their clothes by the fireside during the whole night for seven weeks together, in order that their only bed and bedding might be reserved for the use of their large family--of others sleeping upon the cold hearth stone for weeks in succession without adequate means of providing themselves with food or fuel--and this in the depth of winter--of others being compelled to fast for days together, uncheered by any hope of better fortune, living, moreover, or rather starving in a crowded garret or damp cellar, and gradually sinking under the pressure of want and despair into a premature grave; and when this has been confirmed by the evidence of their careworn looks, their excited feelings, and their desolated homes--can I wonder that many of them, in such times of misery, and destitution, spo...