The million-peopled city
Garwood, John
1853
The Occupations of the Irish of London.
The occupations of the Irish in London are various. For many years, the practice was for the Irish to come over to England to help in the harvest during the autumn, and then to return. But of late they have remained here. Mr. Mayhew reckons that 10,000 of the Irish in London are employed as costermongers. Almost all bricklayers' labourers are Irish. It is a matter of difficulty to get any Englishman to carry a hod. A large number of the Irish are employed in the docks. Very many also are employed by the water- side. In many of the classes connected with the lading and unlading of shipping, they constitute the largest portion. And great numbers leave London during the hay season, the hop season, or the harvest, and return when these are ended, to earn a miserable livelihood by any odd jobs which they can manage to obtain. | |