Henry Parkes

“ What strikes one in England as the most remarkable change in the moral aspect of society is the large amount of self-directed effort on the part of the working classes to improve their own condition. We see this on all hands, in temperance societies, in freehold-land societies, in penny banks, in co-operative shops, in workmen's libraries. Some of the finest public buildings in old historical towns are halls owned and managed chiefly by working men. ”

“ Let sectional politicians say what they may, the welfare of England is so closely interwoven with the peaceful progress of America, that they cannot be separated without doing violence to the laws of nature. All men whose English feeling rises above their political leanings, though from very different points of view, see or feel this. ”

“ It is difficult now-a-days to stir the workmen of English towns by a party cry, but their attention is easily caught by a new invention, or a plan for their moral elevation. They have got a taste for public parks, cheap concerts, and Fine Arts exhibitions; and he must be a gifted charmer on public wrongs who could win their ears from Jenny Lind
Not the least important of the efforts for social change is the movement, now rather prominent in England, for extending the field of employment for respectable women. ”

“ In every man's face there were the consanguineous signs of uneasiness and a confused grief, and it seemed as if the millions were all looking with the same sorrowful sternness of purpose towards the West. ”

“ There are 120 middle-class women carrying on the business of a large highly-organised telegraph office in Moorgate-street, under the admirable management of Mrs. Craig; there is a School of Art with 80 women pupils in Gower-street; there is a School of Design with 100 women at work at Brompton. Miss Rye herself has established a Law Copying Office in Lincoln's Inn, where several young women are honourably earning from 15s. ”

“ In nearly every town of consequence the working classes have their co-operative provision store. And I have heard a plain mechanic, in a meeting of 6000 people, speak more common sense in ten minutes than all the other speakers put together ”

“ If Mason and Slidell are saved from the devouring sea, they will have a cold reception in England. The Times has taken the lead, in a terrible strain of denunciation, in warning the people to shun their presence. ”

“ It is astonishing to see the fine, clear, lawyer's hand which these fair copyists have acquired by a little practice. Several of the young ladies, too, are studying medicine, and are determined to practise the "healing art." ”

“ A number of clever young ladies, whom it is simply coarse abuse to be always designating the "strong-minded," have taken the lead in this work with a noble earnestness. In London and Edinburgh they have established printing-offices where the compositors are all young girls. ”