Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXIII.—April, 1852.—Vol. IV.: NoneVarious
General
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXIII.—April, 1852.—Vol. IV.: None
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
In another of these great beehives, a long low room, in which were six
hundred power-looms, represented an extraordinary appearance. What a
snatching to and fro, what a jingling, what an incessant stir, and what
a moist atmosphere there was between floor and ceiling, as if the limbs
of some absurd, unheard-of beast, with a thousand arms, had been
galvanized! Around us, from three to four hundred operatives, women and
men, stood among the rapid machinery, watching and tending. The twelve
o'clock bell rung, and now the whole throng of work-people would go
forth to their various mid-day quarters; the greatest number to their
respective dwellings in the neighborhood of the factory. I placed
myself, together with my conductor, in the court outside the door of the
room, which was on lower ground, in order that I might have a better
view of the work-people as they came out.
Just as one sees bees coming out of a hive into the air, two, three, or
four at a time--pause, as it were, a moment from the effects of open air
and light, and then with a low hum, dart forth into space, each one his
own way; so was it in this case. Thus came they forth, men and women,
youths and girls. The greater number were well dressed, looked healthy,
and full of spirit. In many, however, might be seen the expression of a
rude life; they bore the traces of depravity about them.
THE ROYAL FAMILY.
The Queen and her husband stand before the people as the personation of
every domestic and public virtue! The Queen is an excellent wife and
mother; she attends to the education of her children, and fulfills her
duties as sovereign, alike conscientiously. She is an early riser; is
punctual and regular in great as well as in small things. She pays ready
money for all that she purchases, and never is in debt to any one. Her
court is remarkable for its good and beautiful morals. On their estate,
she and Prince Albert carry every thing out in the best manner,
establish schools and institutions for the good of the poor; these
institutions and arrangements of theirs serve as examples to every one.
Their uprightness, kindness, generosity, and the tact which they under
all circumstances display, win the heart of the nation. They show a
warm sympathy for the great interests of the people, and by this very
sympathy are they promoted. Of this, the successful carrying out of free
trade, and the Exhibition in the Crystal Palace, projected in the first
instance by Prince Albert, and powerfully seconded by the Queen, furnish
brilliant examples. The sympathies of the Queen are those of the heart
as well as of the head. When that noble statesman, the great promoter of
free-trade, Sir Robert Peel, died, the Queen shut herself in for several
days, and wept for him as if she had lost a father. And whenever a warm
sympathy is called forth, either in public or in private affairs it is
warmly and fully participated by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. That
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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