OR, A WORD ON, TO, AND FOR THE WORKING CLASSES, SHEWING THEIR PRESENT CONDITION, SOCIALLY, INTELLECTUALLY, AND MORALLY, AND THE DESIRABLENESS AND PRACTICABILITY OF ITS BEING IMPROVED. BY STEPHEN SHIRLEY. LONDON: HORSELL AND SHIRREFS, 492, OXFORD STREET ; AND SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS. 1854 141. m. 32. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY. MY LORD, The deep interest your Lordship has taken in the welfare of the working-classes has laid them under lasting obligations to you. An essay, therefore, emanating from one of this class relative to their social, intellectual, and moral condition, could not be dedicated to any one in the country with such propriety as to your Lordship. I beg to acknowledge the honour your Lordship has conferred upon me in permitting this humble effort to be dedicated to you; and take the liberty, in the name of England's toiling sons and daughters, to thank your Lordship for your unceasing efforts on our behalf; and would express the hope that you may be long spared to adorn the British senate, and to win fresh honours in contending for human rights. In which hope, I beg to subscribe myself, with grateful respect, Your Lordship's obedient humble servant, Hanover Street, Longacre, Dec., 1854. STEPHEN SHIRLEY. Plan of the Essay. FIRST PART. A WORD ON THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE WORKING CLASSES. Shewing that physically, socially, intellectually, morally, and religiously they require improving. This Part is divided into Three Sections. The First shewing their Physical and Social Condition. The Third their Moral and Religious Condition. SECOND PART. A WORD TO THE WORKING CLASSES. Shewing them that much of their distress originates with themselves, and that their improvement depends in a great measure upon their own exertions. THIRD PART. A WORD FOR THE WORKING CLASSES. Addressed to those who ought or wish to assist them. This Part reviews the operations of various Societies and Institutions, and particularly addresses itself to Parliament and the Church, laying downfthree plans for improving the poor man's condition; one in connection with the Press; one as to the duty of Parliament; and one which the Church might adopt. |