Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1863-08-20
poDGEvIILE, WIsCoNsIN, THURsDAY. AUGUsT 90. 186s.
Female Life in London.

0eO VIC NC charged says the Phren0-
'og'cat Journal, with exaggeration in
our statements concerning ''the poor
OF the old country, and their desires to
feach our shores, where there is less of
slavery, we take care to quote the high
est authority at command namely, the
greatest daily journal in the world, the
London Times. Read what it says of a
single class, not the poorest, nor the
lowest, or most unfortunate. There are
millions among them worse off than
those described below. Is it any won
der they wish to enligrate to America !?
But read what the Times says about
the
"SEwING WOMEN IN LoNDoN.-The
young female slaves of whom we speak
are worked by gangs in ill-ventilated
rooms, or rooms that are not ventilated
at all, for it is found by experience that
it the air be admitted, it brings with
it BLACKS of another kind (coal dust
and SCOT, with which the air is flled),
which damage the work upon which the
seamstrcsses are employed. Their oc-
cupation is to sew from morning to night,
and night to mornings -stitch-s stitch
stitch, without speech without smile
without sigh. In the gray morn
ing they must be at work-say at six
o'clock, having quarter of an hour al-
lowed for breaking their fast. The food
served to them is scanty and miserable
enough, but still, in all probability, more
than their fevered systems can digest.
From six o'clack then till eleven it is
stitch, stitch. At eleven a small piece
of bread is served to each seamstress,
but still, she must stitch on. At one
o'clock, twenty minutes are allowed for
dinner-a slice of meat and potato
with glass of toast and water to each
workwoman. Then begin to work
stitch, stitch, until five o'clock, when fif-
teen minutes are again allowed for tea.
Their needles are again set in motion once
more-stitch, stitch--until nine o'clock,
when fifteen minutes are allowed for
supper-a piece of dry bread and cheese
and a glass of beer From nine o'clock
to until one, two, and three o'clock in
the morning-stitch- -stitch-stitch !
the only break in this long period being
a minute or two-just time enough to
swallow cup of strong tea, which is
supplied lest the young people should
feel sleepy. At three o'clock A. NJ. to
bed; at six o'clock A. NJ out of it, again
to resume the duties of the day. There
must be a good deal of monotony in the
occupation. But when we have said
that for certain months Of the year
these unfortunate young persons are
worked in the manner we describe, we
have not said all. Even during the few
hours allowed to sleep--should we not
say feverish cessation from toil?-I
their miseries continue. They are cooped
up in sleeping dens, ten in room, which
would perhaps would be sufficient for
the accommodation of wopersons. The
alteration is from a treadmill (and what
treadmill!) to the black hole Of Cal
eutta! Not word of remonstrance is
allowed or is possible. The seamstress
may leave the mill, no doubt; butwhat
awaits her on the other side of the door ?
Starvation, if honest; if not, in all,
probability, prostitution and its conse-
quences!''
What picture and that, too, rep
representing life in one of the foremost
cities in the world Phllanthropists,
awake! Here are Ines to save Will
YOU not lend hand? Let us-Ameri-
cans-complain no more Of our hard lot
while the millions of Europe are per-
ishing in their early youth. Let us
forget our own trials, and help others
who suffer more.