"Samuel Downe called in and examined.
Where do you live?—At Hunslet Carr, near Leeds.
What age are you?—Twenty-nine.
Have you been long acquainted with factories?—From my youth.
At what time did you begin to work at one?—At about ten years of age.
In whose mill did you work?—In Mr. Martin's, at Shrewsbury.
What were the customary hours of labour in the mill: state, first, what were the hours when they were brisk?—When they were brisk we used generally to begin at five o'clock in the morning, and they ran on till eight at night; sometimes half-past five to eight, and sometimes nine.
What time had you allowed for meals and refreshment?—The engine never stopped, except forty minutes at dinner time.
Were these long hours found to be very fatiguing?—Yes.
What means were taken to keep the children awake and vigilant, especially at the termination of such a day's labour as you have described?—There was generally a blow, or a box, or a tap with a strap, or sometimes with a hand.