scope of the inspector's duties, _i.e_., the enforcement of the Factory
Act, give data enough to justify the conclusion that the old evils
inevitably remain. Inspectors Horner and Saunders, in their reports for
October and December, 1844, state that, in a number of branches in which
the employment of children can be dispensed with or superseded by that of
adults, the working-day is still fourteen to sixteen hours, or even
longer. Among the operatives in these branches they found numbers of
young people who had just outgrown the provisions of the law. Many
employers disregard the law, shorten the meal times, work children longer
than is permitted, and risk prosecution, knowing that the possible fines
are trifling in comparison with the certain profits derivable from the
offence. Just at present especially, while business is exceptionally
brisk, they are under great temptation in this respect.

Meanwhile the agitation for the Ten Hours' Bill by no means died out
among the operatives; in 1839 it was under full headway once more, and
Sadler's place, he having died, was filled in the House of Commons by
Lord Ashley {174} and Richard Oastler, both Tories. Oastler especially,
who carried on a constant agitation in the factory districts, and had
been active in the same way during Sadler's life, was the particular
favourite of the working-men. They called him their "good old king,"
"the king of the factory children," and there is not a child in the
factory districts that does not know and revere him, that does not join
the procession which moves to welcome him when he enters a town. Oastler
vigorously opposed the New Poor Law also, and was therefore imprisoned
for debt by a Mr. Thornley, on whose estate he was employed as agent, and
to whom he owed money. The Whigs offered repeatedly to pay his debt and
confer other favours upon him if he would only give up his agitation
against the Poor Law. But in vain; he remained in prison, whence he
published his Fleet Papers against the factory system and the Poor Law.

The Tory Government of 1841 turned its attention once more to the Factory
Acts. The Home Secretary, Sir James Graham, proposed, in 1843, a bill
restricting the working-hours of children to six and one-half, and making
the enactments for compulsory school attendance more effective; the
principal point in this connection being a provision for better schools.
This bill was, however, wrecked by the jealousy of the di