Toilers in London. By the British Weekly Commissioners. (Hodder and
Stoughton.)—This volume is a sequel to one noticed some months ago in these columns, and bearing the title of "Tempted London," and consists, like its predecessor, of papers published from time to time in the British Weekly newspaper. The subject treated of in these papers is " Female Labour in the Metropolis." " Flower-Girls," " Match-Box Makers," "Laundresses," "Factory- Girls," and "Work-Girls " (two classes more distinct than their titles would seem to indicate), are among the " toilers " whose life is described. The impression left by the whole is not, we need hardly say, either cheerful or hopeful. It would be equally a truism to remark that there is much good to be said about these workers where one would hardly expect it. One particularly bad feature is what seems to be the growing laziness of the men. These female " toilers " frequently support fellows who scarcely ever do a stroke of work. It is satisfactory to find that the silly custom of " Primrose Day " has its good side. Lord Beaconsfield's name is held in high honour, for the prim- rose market brings much money into the pockets of the flower-girls. There are interesting chapters setting forth the questions of domestic service from both sides,—the mistresses' and the servants'. But it is impossible to give an idea of the breadth of interest in this book by mentioning a few items of its contents. Our readers should study it. One thing, however, may be pointed out,—that the supervision of overwork supposed to be exercised by the inspector is most defective. " At an establish- ment where one of the largest London papers is printed, girls are paid 5d. and 6d. per hour, and an extra ld. after 10 p.m. At this place they often begin at 6 a.m. and work until 12 p.m. Some- times they are kept all night, sewing and folding, going home at 6 a.m. for breakfast. Of course this is not lawful ; but the factory inspectors are few, and easily hoaxed. They seldom insist on seeing the wage-books, which is the only way of getting at the truth." What do the factory inspectors say to this P
Previous page
