Crikey. It's bleak and so well written.

"It must also be said that work people are never prudent. Thus, instead of putting aside a few sous like our peasants, miners drink, get into debt, and end up by not having enough to support their families."

This said to a poor miners wife by the wealthy local land owner, with shares in the very mine that poorly pays it's workers, on the occasion of her begging for help to feed her children.