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room almost unbearable. On remonstrating with the proprietor
he acceded to my request, that he should provide a
cheerful room up stairs, and lessen the hours of work. He
provided the room, but as he continued to employ the young
women beyond the legal hours—on one occasion before the
Alhambra ball, until 12.30 at night, and on another after
4 p.m. on Saturdays—I was compelled to take proceedings.
I did not press for heavy penalties as the preceding
convictions were the first under the Act in London, and led
to my receiving so many letters from various places, that
I was compelled to write letters to the newspapers, referring
the complainants to their respective local authorities.
The steps already taken have greatly diminished the excessive
hours of work in this parish for the present, and
no doubt the result will conduce to the health and social
welfare of the milliners.
With regard to the moral aspect of the question, several
of the employers have said that I shall " drive the young
women into Regent Street." On further inquiry, however, it
did not appear that more than two or three employers paid
any attention to the moral improvement of the girls. But
a good example to the contrary has been shown by a proprietor,
whose establishment in the parish I have inspected,
without receiving any complaint. He has always been a
warm advocate for the Act, and employs a great many young
women under its restrictions, with sufficient profit to himself.
He sees that the indoor workers have daily exercise in Hyde
Park, affords them opportunities for daily prayer, and provides
them with sittings in a chapel connected with the
Church of England; thus endeavouring to the best of his
ability to improve their moral and physical condition. He
would not wish me to publish his name; but recording the
fact may induce those who think the Act likely to increase
immorality to reflect whether they cannot counteract it in