to supply the wants of those who in his lifetime look to him for their support. The performance of this obvious duty while we are in health—and which is now so shamefully neglected by most—would have a magical effect in improving our social condition. But I may not dwell on this topic, important though it be; I wish some member of our Society, competent to do it full justice, would take up the subject, and enforce upon the consciences of all the social and moral wrong they are guilty of by their neglect of their duties in these respects.
I have now indicated some means whereby the social and moral elevation of our working classes may be secured to an extent hitherto unknown among us; and I conclude by the expression of my full belief that all our efforts will prove unavailing unless they are sustained by high principle. The rich must show an example to the poor of manly virtue, of adherence to truth, of an abhorrence of all insincerity, of a strict regard to honour in all the relations of public and private life; of the exercise of that chanty which thinketh no evil, if it be possible to think otherwise. Thus feeling and thus acting, they will be instrumental in assisting largely in "the social and moral elevation of our working classes." I believe these words touch a sympathetic chord in many of your hearts. I hope you will, each one of you, make their spirit one of the ruling principles of your life.
Want of time has caused me to omit any allusion to a branch of my subject, the importance of which must be obvious to you all. I refer to the condition of the wives and daughters of our working classes. A great change in their habits and occupations must be effected, before the great purpose I have brought under your notice can be in any degree realized. Females should not be employed in sordid out-of-doors labour. In cities and towns their duties should consist in household affairs; the men should provide for the pecuniary wants of their families; the women should keep all clean and comfortable within, know how to lay out the income to best advantage, be taught the art of cooking in the best and most economical way, and made generally acquainted with all matters relating to domestic economy.
There is a wide field for improvement before us. Our Society is doing some good work in it; laying the foundation, I trust, of future excellent results.[1]
- ↑ The turn which the discussion on this paper by our members took, induces me to say, in explanation of my views of legislative prohibition of the liquor traffic in these kingdoms, that, in common with all the societies now in being for the accomplishment of that object, I hold that legistation much in advance of public opinion on the question would be injudicious. Our desire is, first to create a strong public opinion in favour of our views, and then to call on Parliament to embody and enforce the general sentiment, as it does under all similar circumstances, by prohibitory enactments, such as have been applied to lotteries, and other kinds of gambling, and to the removal of various other nuisances inimical to the well-being of society. In a word, to carry into effect this just principle of human action, all practices more injurious than beneficial to society should be given up, or, if need be, prohibited by law.
