The History of the Factory Movement, by Alfred [Samuel H.G. Kydd] (HC, 1966 reprint of 1857 edition, two volumes in one, 660 pages, $7, which is 1/3 the internet price)
"The leaders of the factory movement, in comparatively recent times, have, by extraordinary exertions forced on an unwilling government, a recognition of its duty, to protect by law the helpless; it was reserved for the promoters of the factory movement to break through the commercial materialism of their age, to compel society and the legislature to recognise every woman, young person, and child, employed in the textile branches of British manufacture, as a human creature, having a mind and body to be cared for, and, as being an object of higher regard than merely a piece of factory furniture, whose existance had no end to accomplish, beyond producing the greatest possible quantity of goods at the lowest possible cost."
When this book was written, the number of people working in factories was "probably, not fewer than half a million." Reform was starting to come to Britain. As of 1847, factory workers had to only work ten hour days.
Quite a beautiful book. Look for it in the business section.
