Books

4 Works in 1. Bound with 4 other works (details to follow). 8vo. pp. 43; 24; 16; 83. Folding plan. Lacking general title. Modern full straight-grained dark blue morocco (tear in folding plan repaired - no loss, foxing to plan & neighbouring leaves). First Collected Edition. A nice grouping of works by the pioneer socialist and philanthropist. The first title, A New View of Society, comprises four separate tracts, of which the second and fourth are by Owen: (I) Proposals for Raising a College of Industry of All Useful Trades and Husbandry, with Profit for the Rich, A Plentiful Living for the Poor, and A Good Education for Youth. By John Bellers, (London: 1696), a work which anticipated Owen's own scheme; (II) Report to the Committee of the Association for the Relief of the Manufacturing and Labouring Poor, laid before the Committee of the House of Commons on the Poor Laws; (III) A Brief Sketch of the Religious Society of People Called Shakers. [Communicated to Mr. Owen by Mr. W.S. Warder of Philadelphia, one of the Society of Friends.]; (IV) New View of Society. Extracted from the Daily Papers of 30th July and 9th and 10th of August, 1817. The second tract, Owen's Report. Laid before the Committee of the House of Commons on the Poor Laws, has been called "Owen's first public step in the path of socialism." "In this [famous] report he pointed out that the only permanent remedy for distress was the united action of men and women and the subordination of machinery. For the treatment of pauperism he recommended communities. He outlined the plan of a cooperative agricultural and manufacturing village." "This," says Professor Seligman, "was a most important step, the turning-point in his career and the virtual beginning of English socialism." (Bliss, Encyclopedia of Social Reform) Goldsmiths' 22274. Kress C.136 (calling also for a folding table?). cfPrinting and the Mind of Man 271. [BOUND WITH:] OWEN, Robert. An Address Delivered to the Inhabitants of New Lanark, on the First of January, 1816, at the Opening of the Institution Established for the Formation of Character. Second Edition. 8vo. pp. 48. (some foxing). London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown., 1816. Goldsmiths' 21677. Kress B.6767. NCBEL III 1296. National Library of Wales Cat. 12. [BOUND WITH:] OWEN, Robert. Observations on the Effect of the Manufacturing System: With Hints for the Improvement of Those Parts of It Which Are Most Injurious to Health and Morals. The Third Edition. To which are added Two Letters on the Employment of Children in Manufactories, and a Letter on the Union of Churches and Schools. 8vo. pp. 44, [1 leaf] ads. (light foxing to outer leaves). London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown., 1818. Owen began his factory law agitation in 1815, demanding reduced working hours, drastic limitations on the employment of children, health and education for operatives, and the appointment of factory inspectors. The factory law of 1819, although it fell far short of these demands, did secure important limitations on child labour in cotton mills and paved the way for later reforms. The appointment of factory workers by the state was eventually secured in 1833. Goldsmiths' 22225. Kress C.138. Einaudi 4248 (lacking second part). NCBEL III 1296. National Library of Wales Cat. 13. [BOUND WITH:] OWEN, Robert. Two Memorials on Behalf of the Working Classes; The First Presented to the Governments of Europe and America, The Second to the Allied Powers Assembled in Congress at Aix-la-Chapelle. 8vo. pp. 27. (foxing to outer leaves). London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown., 1818. First Edition. The two memorials were actually laid before the Conference by Lord Castle.