These youths too are worked for sixteen and even twenty hours
a day; they are often sold by one master to another; they are
fed on carrion, and they sleep in lofts or cellars: yet
whether it be that they are hardened by brutality, and really
unconscious of their degradation and unusual sufferings, or
whether they are supported by the belief that their day to be
masters and oppressors will surely arrive, the aristocracy of
Wodgate is by no means so unpopular as the aristocracy of most
other places.
In the first place it is a real aristocracy; it is privileged,
but it does something for its privileges. It is distinguished
from the main body not merely by name. It is the most knowing
class at Wodgate; it possesses indeed in its way complete
knowledge; and it imparts in its manner a certain quantity of
it to those whom it guides. Thus it is an aristocracy that
leads, and therefore a fact. Moreover the social system of
Wodgate is not an unvarying course of infinite toil. Their
plan is to work hard, but not always. They seldom exceed four
days of labour in the week. On Sunday the masters begin to
drink; for the apprentices there is dog-fighting without any
stint. On Monday and Tuesday the whole population of Wodgate
is drunk; of all stations, ages, and sexes; even babes, who
should be at the breast; for they are drammed with Godfrey's
cordial.
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