AGNES WEBSTER
Where have the “lower classes” learned the service of beating their wives? Rich people do not beat their wives, and gentlemen do not maim their sweethearts. Yet daily in our streets, and in the ⟨life⟩ of our “better classes,” is an example which ⟨homely⟩ instincts quickly imitate. A gentleman meets a poor girl. He does not treat her with open roughness; he knows a better game. He sees her weak in comforts, poor in worldly goods, bare, ⟨indeed⟩, even of the cheapest pleasures. He strikes ⟨at⟩ her with the strong temptations of comforts, clothes, pleasures; and robs her of her honour. She becomes the victim of a brutality as gross as that of ⟨the⟩ wretch now on the treadmill for trampling on ⟨an⟩ enceinte wife. She loses her chance of decent ⟨living⟩; finds the burthen of a living shame thrown on her for support; and is an outcast from the ⟨homes⟩ of all good people. If the silly wretch do ⟨not⟩ drown herself, she may accuse the gentleman, ⟨and⟩ when the case is fully proved, he is fined half-a-⟨crown⟩ a-week. From the class of women thus ⟨created⟩ the workmen must select their wives; and ⟨yet⟩ no wonder that they treat them badly! We
