extract from Thomas Asline Ward of Sheffield's letter, 1820
"17 July 1820, Ward to Hunter. ...Trade is at a very low ebb ... From various causes, a plan for rescuing the trade of Sheffield from its depressed state has been too much limited and cramped in its operations... A man 55 years old, who has been 26 years in a Friendly Society or Sick Club, and contributed upwards of 20£ to it, was excluded last week from incapacity to pay his arrears. Thus he has lost the provision for sickness and old age which his foresight had made. He is a labourer, and told me feelingly that he was not so strong as he had been, for last winter's starving had pulled him down. Compare with these simple stories, what real interest is there in the disgusting exposure of Royal Failings..."