Further quotes in Mary Barton that explore the new theme of the condition of the working class

 

p.58

‘The children clamoured again for bread; this time Barton took a piece first to the poor, helpless, hopeless woman, who still sat by the side of her husband, listening to his anxious miserable mutterings. She took the bread, when it was put into her hand, and broke a bit, but could not eat. She was past hunger.’

‘He carried the woman to the fire and chafed her hands. He looked around for something to raise her head. There was literally nothing but loose bricks. However, those he got; and taking off his coat he covered them with it as well as he could.’

p.59

‘It was now high time to attend to the man. He lay on straw, so damp and mouldy, no dog would have chosen it in preference to flags; over it was a piece of sacking, coming next to his worn skeleton of a body; above him was mustered every article of clothing that could be spared by mother or child this bitter weather; and in addition to his own, these might have given as much warmth as one blanket, could they have been kept on him; but as he restlessly tossed to and fro, they fell off and left him shivering in the spite of the burning heat of his skin. Every now and then he started up in his naked madness, looking like the prophet of wore in the fearful plague-picture, but he soon fell again in exhaustion, and Barton found he must be closely watched, lest in these falls he should injure himself against the hard brick floor.’

Prophet of plague – Paul Falconer Poole painting titled Solomon Eagle 1843.

‘But could no doctor be had? In all probability, no; the next day an Infirmary order must be begged, but meanwhile the only medical advice they could have must be from a druggists.’

Infirmary order – a patron of the hospital could issue to their workers an order for treatment.

p.60

‘The druggist… listened attentively to Barton’s description of the Davenport’s illness; concluded it was typhus fever, very prevalent in that neighbourhood; and proceeded to make a bottle of medicine.’

‘He had opened a door, but only for an instant; it led into a back cellar, with a grating instead of a window, down which dropped the moisture from the pigsties, and worse abominations. It was not paved; the floor was one mass of bad smelling mud. It had never been used, for there was not an article of furniture in it; nor could a human being, much less a pig, have lived there many days. Yet the ‘back apartment’ made a difference in the rent. The Davenports paid three-pence more for having two rooms.’

p.61

‘No; my master is Buckinghamshire born; and he’s feared the town would send him back to his parish if he went to th’ board, so we’ve just borne on in hope o’ better times.’ Poor Law.

‘Han yo known this chap long? asked Barton. Better nor three year. He’s worked wi’ Carsons that long, and were always a steady, civil-spoken fellow, though as I said afore, somewhat of a Methodee.’

‘If you think so, tell me this. How comes it they’re rich, and we’re poor? I’d like to know that. Han they done as they’d be done by for us? … You’ll say (at least many a one does), they’n getten capital an’ we’n getten none. I say, our labour’s our capital, and we ought to draw interest on that. They get interest on their capital somehow a’ this time, while ourn is lying idle, else how could they all live as they do?’

p.62

‘The watchers agreed that as soon as it was likely Mr. Carson would be up and visible, Wilson should go to his house, and beg for an Infirmary order. At length the grey dawn penetrated even into the dark cellar. Davenport slept, and Barton was to remain there until Wilson’s return.’

p.67

‘He could not speak again. The trump of the archangel would set his tongue free; but not a word more would it utter till then… The face grew beautiful, as the soul neared God… No more grief or sorrow for him. They reverently laid out the corpse.’