Before we leave off, let us look at the subject in its full scope. A large portion of our fellow countrymen are living, not in a passive state of distress, but in one which manufactures rapidly disease, and poverty, and crime. I think it has been shown that it is in the power of other classes to raise this condition. At any rate it is in their power to make the attempt. There is no occasion for waiting—each of us can do
something to-day in this matter. Now consider what would be the effect of success in these endeavours. Let us not take the other result as probable; or, even in hypothesis, draw any picture that might make despondency plausible. Suppose, then, the success of individual, or united efforts, in raising the condition of the labouring classes. What an undivided good it is. Has any man some particular reform at heart, some especial hopes for his race? Where can he look for such a basis to rest upon as in the improved condition of the largest layer of the people? What a field it opens for science, literature, and art. What freedom may it not give to the highest ranges of thought.
I cannot think the destinies of our race an unimproving matter of contemplation, and that it savours of presumption, or of needless forelooking, to reflect on these things. A notable portion of the great human family utters every day a prayer in which the individual supplicant asks, not for himself alone, even those blessings which he can individually enjoy, but also, and first, implores those
general blessings which include the welfare of his own race at least. What is the meaning of this, if we are to take no interest in the general welfare, or not, by every means in our power, to aid in it?
In the better order of men there is a desire for social improvement totally independent of all thought of personal gain. Bishop Butler saw in the fact, that there were persons who devoted themselves to a pursuit so remote from worldly ends as astronomy, a wonderful instance of the innate consciousness in man of his high origin and destiny. But an earnest and unselfish love of social progress, is a far more satisfying sign that the impress of good is not altogether effaced, and that men are not wholly isolated by worldliness from the future and the past.
“Hence, in a season of calm weather,
Though inland far we be,
Our souls have sight of that immortal sea
Which brought us hither,
Can in a moment travel thither,
And see the Children sport upon the shore,
And hear the mighty waters rolling evermore.”
finis.
APPENDIX.
The following table shows the progressive decrease in the sum of vitality in the three classes of the inhabitants of Preston. The calculations are founded on the ages at death for the six years ending June 30, 1843:—
| 1. Gentry. | 2. Tradesmen. | 3. Operatives. | |
| Born | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Remaining at the end of 1st year | 90.8 | 79.6 | 68.2 |
| „ 2nd year | 87.6 | 73.5 | 57.5 |
| „ 5th year | 82.4 | 61.8 | 44.6 |
| „ 10th year | 81.1 | 56.6 | 38.8 |
| „ 20th year | 76.3 | 51.6 | 31.5 |
| „ 30th year | 72.3 | 45.9 | 25.2 |
| „ 40th year | 63.4 | 37.5 | 20.4 |
| „ 50th year | 56. | 28.1 | 15.6 |
| „ 60th year | 45.1 | 20.5 | 11.2 |
| „ 70th year | 25.4 | 13.3 | 6.1 |
| „ 80th year | 8. | 4.5 | 2.1 |
| „ 90th year | 1.3 | .8 | .2 |
| „ 100th year | . . | . . | .03 |
| Terminates in the 92nd year. | Terminates in the 96th year. | Terminates in the 103rd year. |