FACTORY

Establishments supplied with machinery for the purpose of carrying on any branch of manufacture, are usually called factories. Hence we have woollen, cotton, flax, . factories, according to the dif ferent branches of industry carried on in each. Factories on an extensive scale are to be found only in countries far advanced in civilization, and where the arts are highly improved. In rude countries, and in the earlier stages of society, manufactures are nece arily carried on upon a small scale, with very imperfect instruments, and little or no division of labour. In factories, on the contrary, the most improved machinery is introduced; every individual has a peculiar task to perform, in the execution of which he cannot fail to acquire the greatest proficiency. We need not, therefore, be surprised to learn that, wherever factories are generally introduced; domestic manufactures are totally superseded, as all cla es find it to be more for their advantage to buy the products furnished by the factories than to attempt to supply themselves with similar products by their own labour. Many complaints have been made as to the injurious influence of factory labour on the health of the labourers, and especially of the young persons, employed in them. This, however, is a subject as to wiiich there has been much misrepresentation. Children, that is, young persons between the ages of nine and fourteen years, as well as adults, are largely employed in factories; and, while the health and morals of the latter are said to suffer severely, the former have been described as being stunted in their growth, and rendered decrepit and miserable for life, by the prolonged confinement, drudgery, and ill treatment to which they are exposed. These representations of the injurious effects of what has been called vihite slavery, were at length embodied in a Report of a Committee of the House of Commons in 1832. We believe, however, that we run little risk in affirming that this report contains more false statements and [s. 447]