Child Slaves Of Britain A True and Faithful account of the present condition of certain small lieges his majesty King Edward VII (whom God preserve) in various principal Towns and Cities of his Kingdoms of England and Scotland in the first years of the twentieth Century By Robert Harborough Sherard Published  by   Hurst And Blackett Limited  1905 First Edition ________________________________________________________________________ Overview This book is a powerful exposé of the lives of working-class children in England and Scotland at the dawn of the twentieth century.  The author, a keen observer of society's underbelly, delves into the grim reality of child labour, exposing the exploitation and hardship faced by young people in a time when poverty and inequality were rife. Through vivid descriptions and poignant anecdotes, the book paints a harrowing picture of children working long hours in dangerous conditions, often for meager wages.  The author highlights the impact of poor nutrition, overcrowding, and inadequate healthcare on the physical and mental wellbeing of these children, arguing that the system itself is responsible for their suffering. The book examines a range of industries where child labour was prevalent, including match factories, coal yards, and street vendors. By presenting a compelling and meticulously researched account of child exploitation in early 20th-century Britain, this book serves as a vital reminder of the social injustices that still plague our world. Previous owner Book-plate on the front paste-down belonging to Mrs Adela Constantia Pankhurst Walsh and on the free front end paper it is inscribed to Adela from Tom, Melbourne 9-11-21. Adela Pankhurst was born in 1885, the third daughter of the famous English suffrage campaigner Emmeline Pankhurst and Richard Pankhurst, barrister-at-law. She followed her mother and sisters Christabel and Sylvia into the campaign for the suffrage, working as a paid organizer for the society they founded, the Women's Social and Political Union. Her exposure in Yorkshire to the living conditions of working class women prompted a life-long commitment to improving conditions for working women and children, initially through women's suffrage. Adela became a radical suffragette and was imprisoned on several occasions as a militant, before poor health forced her to withdraw from active campaigning. In the following years she became estranged from her family and in 1914 migrated to Australia. As the war entered its third year there was growing anger in Melbourne at spiralling food prices. Wages had been frozen from the start of the war. There were many spontaneous protests in the city and nearby suburbs, as women in particular were moved to political action. In August 1917 Pankhurst led an estimated crowd of 15,000 women from the Treasury Gardens to Parliament House, chanting "We want food and fair play" and singing the socialist song The Red Flag. As police moved in to break up the rally they were pelted with gravel and many windows in the city were smashed. Pankhurst and others were arrested and charged with offences under the War Precautions Act 1914 and Unlawful Association. There is no doubt that Pankhurst was a thorn in the side of Prime minister Billy Hughes, who described her as a 'damned nuisance'. There were rumours that he planned to deport her.  Nevertheless he offered to release her from prison on condition that she did not speak in public. Pankhurst refused and despite a petition signed by many thousands of people, she remained in Pentridge until after the second conscription ballot was held in December 2017. Just before her imprisonment she had married fellow activist Tom Walsh, and on her release in January 1918 they moved to Sydney. Both continued as activists having five children together. Description (A Book With Real History!) This book was saved from the remains of a house fire during the Canberra Bushfires of 2003 which took the lives of four people, injured more than 430 people, and destroyed nearly 500 homes. Prior to that it was owned by one of the ‘Pankhurst’ daughters, a suffragette in the UK before emigrating to Australia to become a pacifist during WWI, married Tom Walsh of the Federated Seaman’s Union of Australasia, then became a founding member of the Australian Branch of the communist party (from which she was expelled); went to Japan and on her return advocated a peace treaty with Japan, was jailed by Billy Hughes, and offered a release provided she did not publicly advocate a treaty with Japan ... she refused the release.   The book was signed by Tom and gifted to her, the spine and edges have been scorched with no loss of text. Definitely worn, foxed, and browned, but otherwise very good considering the harrowing life it has led. Please check pictures and don't hesitate to ask if you have any queries! 72