Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-09-11
SELLING A WOMAN.


The following graphic picture of the brutal hab-
its Of the laboring classes in one of the Midland
Counties of England, is given by a correspondent
Of the New York Commercial Advertiser.
The scene is near Birmingham, in the midst Of
the coal mines aud Iron works of SiaiTordshire-
The writer says
"Now we meet strings Of women, clad for the
most part in mems coats each armed with round
basket, or scutte for carrying Goals going to the
pits with their husbands fathers or brothers din
ner. Again they are met in dozens, returning from
the pits staggering for two or three miles beneath
basket full Of COAL their daily allowance. There
was no feminineness Of features no womanly ex-
preston, in the appearance Of these unforunates
their clothes were ragged, their necks and faces
were crushed into a heap by carrying heavy loads
Of coal from their infancy, aud their language was
infamous aud disgusting.
should compute that every fifth man we met
had lost hg, or an arm, or crippled in some
way some were blind and others had their faces
burnt into frghliul distortions by foul air and ex-
posons il the mines, but all were stout well built
black-faeed fellows, and all were clad in a rough
kind Of flannel alike. Groups Of young children
followed the coach, as we whirled up the street Of
the town some turning gambols, others perform
ing eyolltions on their hands and feet, after the
manner Of wheel in motion, and all looking at US
eagerly, IN expectation of coppers. Surrounded By
such motley attendants we arrived al the Turks
Head Inn"
Having taken possession of quarters, at the inn,
for two or three days, and removed the dust and
SCOT which had chung TO me on my journey, stroll
ed through the town on a tour Of discovery. Ii
was market-day, but the hurry Of the market was
over.
Several signs of life were dscoyerable, as pass
ed the taverns. which we're very numerous; there,
hddles scraping with desperate energy, or the
'hurdy-gurdes Of the Italian boys grating re-
morseess music. A horrible hubbub of laughing
singing chanting, and shutting Of feet proceeded
from each, and on entering one, from motives of
curiosity, | saw men and women with washed faces
and Sunday clothes, crowded together women
/ nursing huge baskets containing their market
ings,' were sitting on the knees of men, whose
arms encircled their waists, and drunken fellows
were amusing them with hornpipes.
On re-entering the street, observed man with
a laced coat and hat, violently ringing huge bell
and men, women aud children were crowding a.
round him with anxious looks The tavern occu-
pants for moment left their hddling aud drinking,
and clustered gaping round the doors. The bell
ceased, and for a moment there was profound ST.
leaoo, when the town crler looked with dignity
around and swelled out rather larger than was ne
cessary, he said, Hem this is 10 give notice
that woman-and her little baby-will be offered
for sale-in the market place-this afternoon
at four o'clock-by her husband-Moses SatTer-
oiherwse-Rough Moey."
! universal roar Of laughter followed this an
nouncement, and all the people answered hurrah
/ The women bent double in their commissions OF
merriment. The men threw their heads edward,
roaring with joy, and clapped the women smarily
on their shoulders; il to intimate that such fun
was too much for them, and quite inexpressble in
any other manner.
little before the time appointed for the SALE a
crowd was collected in the center Of the market
place; there were some dozens of women, with
dirty gowns and dirter faces, bonnetless and cap
/ less, and each with child in her arms calling
loudly to each other and passing coarse jests, in
coarser language, when a far off hurTah was
heard, and motley assembage of black faced peo-
pie were perceived, coming down the principal
street toward the market place, responsive shout
was raised by those already there, and numbers oil
young men, women and boys ran to meet their ap.
preaching friends, while a continuous cheering
summoned all the inhabitants from their drinking
cups and their afternoon maps.
On came the crowd with hurricane Of hurras
as they neared the market place in their center
three or four fellows with sticks kept back the ca
ger crowd from crushing upon a man, woman, and
infant The lions of the day
The man was a stout, burly fellow, Of about for
ty-fve or fifty his face had been originally deeply
marked wi'n s,nal' PoH' oul 'ne s'naher impress o
.he disease hau oeeh i''e,uiiy PougheI Out py 1eeE
olue burrows %hich the notrioie hre-uamp had ieN
IN ms lace ana neck. lie hSd 1851 one eye, ana
wooden stump supplied the place oil ms r'gnt reg
Inc expression oil ms features was 'hat oil a memo
TS Sauaa ANNA a " omoh ,o0,re, D,oh.blv ,hon
- as r',,Sh oc rodd 49, ~ ',,a,
compatible with her slavsh occupation in life
young o',,u vi aUI ~ Ie" o,u "a' VI nel arms