On this page
-
Text (1)
-
BIVES FOR LEAVES. 287
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Pabt Ii. Having Adverted To Cases Of Suf...
leaf-makers as contrasted _with tlieir means . Ho ¥ can a female who earns from twentto thirty shillings per weekbe so very poor ?
And whof all laces y in this beautiful worldshould , she make her home in y , a desolate p garret , or in some hard-to , -find nook , in a low
that neighborhood creatures , " where made the a little blessed lower sun than steals the sadl angel y , as s " if should in sorrow ever
dwell there ? To those who may have studied the habits and position of industrial females in this metropolis , the answer will be
on plain their . Nor economy , in strict and truth general , will frugalit the exp y . lanation This can reflect hardl much y surprise credit
us ; they have never been instructed in these essential principles _^ and " we do not gather of thorns . "
None of these admissions grapes can be understood as an apology for all the waste of health involved in the manufacture of emerald green
leaves . The great fact remains—that health is totally incompatible v _^ ith this employment , as at present pursued ; that not one of all
the host engaged in it , can be said to enjoy this inestimable blessing . So much negatively . "Who may tell the actual pain and
suffering silently borne from day to day by these persons , or imatoil gine ? their Oh condition it is itiable , when to regard compelled them to under desist such from circumstances their deadly !
How difficult , to p answer that pathetic , interrogatory look which searches you as you hesitate at the anxious _" What do you
think I can do ? " —that is , if you answer advisedly and in accordanee with possibilities . Better be dumb in your sympathy , in
presence of such appeals , than thoughtlessly reiterate the common speculative , " Couldn't von do this ? " or _" Couldn't you do the
other ? " If any one fact be clear and indisputable , it is surely clear that
the employment of emerald green in the manufacture of leaves , flowersfruitsand other ornamental devices produced by artificial
, , florists , is an evil . The next practical question is— " Does it admit of a remedy ? " Happily the ready answer is— " It does . "
Two or three forms of amelioration are suggested . An antidote in the form of hydrate peroxide of iron has been
recommended . A medical gentleman is of opinion that if this powder were mixed in treacle or something of that kind , and kept
in the establishments for continual use by the women , much of the suffering we have adverted to might be prevented . This question
certainly demands attention . There is little doubt that this medicine would be most beneficial .
Mr . Paul , the gentleman alluded to , has had large experience and great success in the treatment of this " artificial flower disease , "
as it has been denominated by another gentleman of the faculty , and it is to be fervently hoped that this suggestion will be attended
to . But _tvittifbe attended to ? This seems a strange question , but it is by no means certain that the females willin any
considerable mimber' avail themselves of it . The same , ignorance and ,
Bives For Leaves. 287
BIVES FOR LEAVES . 287
-
-
Citation
-
English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), June 1, 1862, page 237, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01061862/page/21/
-