The million-peopled city
Garwood, John
1853
The Irish have been made thereby Idle.
"The Irishman has not been long in London before he finds reason to wish himself back again ..... Nothing is to be done here without strenuous exertion. And though an Irishman sometimes works hard when he is at work, he never likes hard work. He is too fond of talking, and smoking, and drinking, and shrinks from exertion.[1] Besides which, it is very difficult for him to get work. Most likely he knows no trade, and if he does, an English artizan will hardly work with him. Our poor Irish neighbours feel most keenly the dislike in which they are held. It does exist to a great extent, and they exaggerate it..... | |
"The Irish Roman Catholics neither love labour nor love cleanliness, and Irish converts would take hard work and its accompanying social advantages as a duty rather than a boon. We can only expect habits so deeply rooted to be gradually overcome, and strive to impress on them, what, with all her professions, will never teach her children, that 'those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.' " | |
Footnotes: [1] While I give this extract from Mr. Garratt as true with reference to the Irish as existing generally in London, I consider it but just to remark that under proper control the Irish have proved themselves industrious. |