The influences of civilization are rousing society to its depths; and daily evidences are furnished of the rise of the industrious classes to a position of social power.
Discontent may, and does, exhibit itself; but discontent is only the necessary condition of improvement; for a man will not be stimulated to rise up into a higher condition unless he be first made dissatisfied with the lower condition out of which he has to rise.

To be satisfied is to repose; while, to be rationally dissatisfied, is to contrive, to work, and to act, with an eye to future advancement.
The working classes very much under-estimate themselves.

Though they receive salaries or wages beyond the average earnings of professional men, yet many of them have no other thought than that of living in mean houses, and spending their surplus time and money in drink.

They seem wanting in respect for themselves as well as for their class.

They encourage the notion that there is something degrading in labour,--than which nothing can be more false.