The Autobiography of a Working ManThis 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. 1848. Excerpt: ... ening all the savings of industry, which we call capital, ' with annihilation. Woe unto France Her errors are neither royal nor republican.; they are economic. M. Chevalier is writing amid the tumult of the revolution of 1848, to correct some of the errors unhappily prevailing on the industrial questions of production and consumption. The following is a quotation from him; He is answering the allegation that France produces too inuch, and says of the present condition of the people: --' "The mass of all the products which France offers to the material wants of her population of 35,000,000 is differently estimated; it is probably an exaggeration to estimate it in money at ten millions. Supposing this to be divided at so much a head, it would give each Frenchman 78 centimes to expend per day in clothing, meat, lodging, instruction, and enjoyment, and it is out of that sum that any saving for a future day must be made. At the price at which all the necessaries of life are, can any thing like comfort be procured for 78 centimes per day? Evidently not. Even in the supposition that an equal division of the products could be made, France is not in a state to give to each of her inhabitants what is necessary for their comfort; the part which the poor would have would only keep them poor--the poor would only increase in number. There are, however, 15,000,000 of Frenchmen spread over the country, and in certain quarters of large cities, whose labour does not procure them even this average sum. I ask all those who have gone through the departments of the central plateau of France--those who have witnessed the existence of the peasants of the Hautes and Basses Alpes, who inhabit huts and live on black bread, cooked with cow-dung as their only fuel. I appeal to those w... |
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The Autobiography of a Working Man Alexander Somerville,One Who Has Whistled At The Plough No preview available - 2022 |
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Page 239 - November, the second reading of the bill was carried by a majority of...
Page 246 - DEAR LORD, I am honoured with his Majesty's commands to acquaint your lordship that all difficulties to the arrangements in progress will be obviated by a declaration in the House to-night from a sufficient number of peers that, in consequence of the present state of affairs, they have come to the resolution of dropping their further opposition to the Reform Bill, so that it may pass without delay, and as nearly as possible in its present shape. - I have the honour to be, Yours sincerely, HERBERT...
Page 500 - And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm-trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
Page 315 - And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell upon his neck, and kissed him.
Page 269 - November, 1864, or as soon thereafter as practicable, for the trial of such prisoners as may be brought before it.
Page 234 - June, 186g, the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke in favour of the Bill, and against an amendment proposed by Lord Harrowby and seconded by the Duke of Rutland.
Page 501 - Of this little book it is impossible to speak too highly ; it is the reflex of the spirit of childhood, full of tenderness, pity and love — quick to resent, and equally quick to forgive. We wish that all children could imbibe its spirit, then indeed would the world be happier and better.
Page 287 - I put my tongue between my teeth, held it there, and bit it almost in two pieces. What with the blood from my tongue and my lips, which I had also bitten, and the blood from my lungs or some other internal part ruptured by the writhing agony, I was almost choked, and became black in the face.
Page 235 - ... in the Committee that my objections might be removed, I would not divide the House in this stage. But I am so fully convinced that no alteration which would not seem insupportable to my honorable and learned friend, could render his measure supportable to me, that I must move, though with regret, that this bill be read a second time this day six months.
Page 315 - But even if not, it is our duty to do all that in us lies to bring back him that has gone astray.