Where are the most attractive factory girls to be found? Sir Thomas Morrison Legge, who was for 28 years medical inspector of factories, addressing the Royal Society of Arts, in London last night, said that as the result of thirty years of observation, he thought that, on the whole, the looks of youthful women workers in Belfast and the North of Ireland generally stood highest. They gave an impression of indefinable refinement and reserve.
In these respects, the pottery workers on North Staffordshire, especially those in the decorative branches, and workers in the artificial silk factories of Cheshire, ran Belfast very close.
"I have a strong penchant for red hair, which I regard as a most beautiful gift from the gods," said Sir Thomas. "To me it seems that red hair in anyone atones for a multitude of sins. In fact, I feel that people so blessed are terrestrial visitors from the never-never land. Unfortunately, there are too few of them - only some five per cent.
"The looks of workers in Glasgow and Newcastle stand very high, partly, no doubt, because of red hair, and, what so often goes with it glowing rosy cheeks. "Although in height, build and appearance they may not be Venuses or Apollo Belvederes, the Lancashire factory operatives of to-day are, in my opinion, the finest workers in the world, and factory life has not in the least affected their character, which is distinguished above that of all other workers for grit, wit, and bonhomie, with yet just a touch of the savage as a saving grace."
The features of west country folk as a general rule, Sir Thomas remarked, were distinguished by a gentle and reposeful air. Northerners made up for this, however, by their vivacity, their inquisitiveness, and their impetuosity.
Rough strenuous work might be thought to detract from good looks. This was not so, however. It was a well known fact that the Scotch fisher girls averaged seventy per cent. good looking.
The handsomest woman worker he ever saw was engaged in the manufacture of white lead in some works at Yarrow. She had a face which reminded him of the effigies of saints in stained glass windows of the fifteenth century.
The Irish Times, February 19th, 1929.