I have been struck very severely with it myself, so much so as to knock me down, and I have seen other children have their heads broken with it.
Regulations were obviously not present in children's work environment. While this sin't anything that I would like children to have gone through, without such treatment labor laws wouldn't have been created.
This natural inequality of the two powers of population and of production in the earth, and that great law of our nature which must constantly keep their efforts equal
While the importance of keeping things as equal as possible is mentioned as important, it is also mentioned that inequality is not natural.
ignorant and barbarous nations; or if a civilized people has ever given admission to any of them, that people will be found to have received them from ignorant
During the era of enlightenment many hard a hard time coming to terms with the new ideas with evidence. Many were ignorant on the ideas.
Sabbath day
A day set aside for worship.
dogmas.
Principles or a set of principles set by an authority that are to be believed as 100% true.
where the word of a King is, there is power; and who may say unto him, what dost thou?
He feels that as king his word should be challenged in any way.
commonwealth
An international association consisting of the UK with states who were previously part of the British empire. The British monarchy is head of the commonwealth.
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil
I think he is saying that society's morals should change or progress.
consumation
The act of finalizing something.
each person is taught a particular trade of his own, such as wool-working, linen-making, masonry, metal-work, or carpentry.
I feel that this is a good way to have an economically successful system.
No widow shall be compelled to marry so long as she prefers to live without a husband,
Women are given more freedom, in the reading from a previous the "barbarian" women had to marry and weren't supposed to have any other goal or purpose. This is an improvement.
l, his hand shall be bound up and sealed; and after the third day it shall be inspected to see whether, within the sealed wrapping, it is foul or clean. And if any one breaks these provisions, the ordeal shall be counted a failure for him, and lie shall pay a fine of 120s to the King.
Praying and if caught lying, then paying, doesn't seem to be a way to handle committed crimes. If they pray and all is forgiven then there really is never a punishment for what their wrongs were and they continue on like nothing happened. If they're caught they pay a fine but again, after payment they walk away.
l, no one shall come into the church except the priest and the man to be tried
Church and law are combined in this time period. Aside from being involved in church personally, I still feel that church should not play a rule in prosecution. I'm glad America doesn't practice this and it's mostly in the past.
even of the wickedness of Lucifer, imitating him that sought to build his throne to the north and make himself like unto the Most High, with the exception of his goodness.
Here Tyrants are compared to Lucifer, which in a sense of evil isn't far off. I would consider Hitler, Stalin, and other Tyrants evil as well. Comparing them to Lucifer, who was power hungry is an easy connection, in my opinion.
accordance with the laws is a prince.
Tyrants are leaders who somehow came to power while breaking the rules, prince's are also rulers but follow them.
I live I shall perform such services for you as are becoming to a freeman, and never have the right to withdraw from your power and protection, but shall remain under them all the days of my life.
Once a peasant they must stay at that ranking until death. They lose all of their rights as a citizen and have no hope of getting them back.
poor men to be greatly oppressed. The king was so very rigid, and took from his subjects many a mark of gold, and more hundred pounds of silver, which he took by right and with great unright from his people, for little need.
He was powerful and in control but very selfish. A good leader shouldn't take from his people. They faced financial hardships because of him, when as the one in charge he should have done all he could to give people the best chance financially.
Amongst other things is not to be forgotten the good peace that he made in this land;
While he was a cruel but wise and powerful leader he accomplished things and in the end, no matter how cruel he was good at being a leader.