R.
W. Cooke-Taylor, the author of The Factory System was also
an Inspector of Factories. In his book he explained the 1833 Factory
Act.
The
Factory Act, 1833 was an attempt to establish a normal working day
in a single department of industry, textile manufacture. The way in
which it proposed to do this was the following: The working day was
to start at 5.30 a.m. and cease at 8.30 p.m. A young person (aged
thirteen to eighteen) might not be employed beyond any period of twelve
hours, less one and a half for meals; and a child (aged nine to thirteen)
beyond any period of nine hours. From 8.30 p.m. to 5.30 a.m.; that
is during the night; the employment of such persons was altogether
prohibited.
