1-152-664 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

'Love Conquered Fear', 1840. Michael Armstrong, adopted by a mill owner, embracing his brother Edward who is one of the ragged factory boys working amongst the spinning mules. By Michael's foot a child crawls out from under the mule. Children were employed to keep the floor under the mules free of dust and fibres to minimise risk of fire. They often suffered horrific injuries when crushed by moving machinery. From The Life and Adventures of Michael Armstrong by Frances Trollope, who was an active campaigner against the use of child labour in British factories. (London, 1840).