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Samuel Bamford

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Samuel Bamford

Samuel Bamford (28 February 1788 – 13 April 1872) was an English weaver, poet, and radical reformer, who in 1819 was arrested and charged with treason at the Peterloo Massacre. In 1872 thousands of people attended his funeral.

Quotes

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  • It is matter of history, that whilst the laurels were yet cool on the brows of our victorious soldiers on their second occupation of Paris, the elements of convulsion were at work amongst the masses of our labouring population; and that a series of disturbances commenced with the introduction of the Corn Bill in 1815, and continued, with short intervals, until the close of the year 1816. In London and Westminster riots ensued, and were continued for several days, whilst the bill was discussed; at Bridport, there were riots on account of the high price of bread; at Biddeford there were similar disturbances to prevent the exportation of grain; at Bury, by the unemployed, to destroy machinery; at Ely, not suppressed without bloodshed ...
  • The condition of the working classes, physically, morally, and mentally, having of late begun to attract that degree of attention which it ought long ago to have done, I conceived that, at this particular crisis, some good might be rendered to the country — some advancement made towards the Truth — by an actual survey of the present condition of such labouring persons. I determined therefore, on taking a series of perambulations amongst them, for the purpose of noting down their real state and condition, and of making it known through the public press of the country.
    • "Chapter. Walks Amongst the Workers". Walks in South Lancashire, and on its borders; with letters, descriptions, narratives, and observations current and incidental. published by the author; printed by J. Heywood. 1844. p. 24.  text at archive.org
  • Easter was a more important holiday time at Middleton. On Good Friday, children took little baskets neatly trimmed with moss, and went "a peace-egging," and received at some places eggs, at some places spiced loaf, and at others halfpennies, which they carried home to their mothers, who would feel proud that their children had been so much respected. On Easter Monday, companies of young men grotesquely dressed, led up by a fiddler, and with one or two in female attire, would go from house to house on the same errand of "peace-egging." At some places they would dance, at other they would recite quaint verses, and at the houses of the more sedate inhabitants, they would merely request a "peace-egg." Money or ale would in general be presented to them, which they afterwards divided and spent. Meantime, the holiday having fairly commenced, all work was abandoned, good eating, good drinking, and new clothing were the order of the day. Men thronged to the ale-houses, and there was much folly, intemperance, and quarreling, amidst the prevailing good humour.

Quotes about Samuel Bamford

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  • At the latter end of 1849 Mrs. Gaskell, the author of Mary Barton, wrote to Forster, asking for an introduction to Tennyson, in connection with Samuel Bamford, the Lancashire weaver, and author of Life of a Radical. Mrs. Gaskell wished, I believe, to enlist the poet's interest on behalf of Bamford, who was now old, and greatly desirous of having a copy of Tennyson's poems for himself. With his usual kindness of heart, the author of In Memoriam writes at once to Forster that he will, as soon as maybe, instruct Moxon (his publisher) to forward the books—adding that he reckoned Bamford's admiration as the highest honour he had ever received.
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