Wages run very high in this city at the present time. It has this week been stated before the Boston Labour Commission, that hatters are earning from forty to fifty dollars per week at piece work, and none average less than thirty dollars per week. Before the war they could earn from ten to twentyfive do lars per week. Nov. 23- Went by railway to a place called Hyde Park, to see a friend whom I had known in England. On my arrival I was shown the house, which was an elegant structure, and stood upon a gentle slope, giving a commanding view of the surrounding country. My pleasurable anticipations were soon beclouded, for I was informed that my friend had recently removed more than 300 miles distant. To add to my disappointment there would be no return train till noon, for on this line there were only three trains per day. Under these circumstances I decided to walk to Jamaica Plain, which was only a few m les distant, and there wait the arrival of the train The day was delightfully pleasant, and I enjoyed the country walk exceedingly. Atter having travelled some distance the road passed through a dense forest, from which no house was discernible. The silence and solitude were oppressive, for there was no opening on either side to vary the monotonous prospect. After a while, on turning round, I observed two rough-looking_men approaching me. I thought they were Irishmen, for they were dressed in grey mixture clothing, which is peculiarly Hibernian. It is seldom that I experience any feeling of fear, but on this occasion I admit that I felt somewhat nervous. I was in good trim for walking or ruuning, but I was unwilling to give any evidence of fear, and therefore kept on at my usual pace. In a little time they over took me, and presently pointed out the spot where two persons had recently been murdered in the wood. This was certainly not well calculated to lessen the uneasy sensation which had been produced, for the recital of a tale of murder in such a solitude was anything but pleasing. Some distance further on they showed me the house where the supposed murderer had lived, but he had escaped justice by flight. The subject of conversation was not to me very agreeable, nevertheless it was better than absolute silence, as it gradually inspired me with confideuce that the men were not influenced by wicked designs towards me. They were not Irishmen, as I had supposed, but probably had belonged to the "knownothing party," for they inveighed strongly against the Irish, alleging that they reduced wages and prevented native-born Americans from getting a good price for their labour. The house where the supposed murderer had lived was historically associated with the French revolution. Immediately prior to the flight of Louis Philippe from Paris, there were many French gentlemen who saw the danger approaching, and were wishful to take steps to secure their personal property. It so happened that an American vessel was anchored in port, and it was considered prudent to make an arrangement with the captain for "their money and plate to be placed in his vessel for safe keeping. The arrangement was accordingly made; but when all the precious treasures had been placed on board, the captain put off to sea, and took the money and plate as his own property. When he arrived in America he purchased with his ill-gotten gains a large estate, and erected upon it a beautiful house But nothing seemed to prosper with him, and before very long he died. His widow married again, but ultimately the property got into other hands, and she and her family left the neighbourhood. The son of the person who succeeded to the property was supposed to have committed the murder, as a servant girl living at the house asserted that she saw him come home with his clothes all bloody. He, however, left the neighbourhood, and has not since been heard of, and the premises have quite a deserted appearance, for it seemed as if no one lived at the place. I arrived at Jamaica Plain in time to take the train to Boston, and from this city I proceeded to Lowell, one of the capitals of Middlesex County, Massachussets. LOWELL-This city has been appropri"Manchester of Ameately designated the rica," in consequence of the amount, variety, and character of its manufactures. Its situation is well adapted for manufacturing purposes, because of the extensive water power which it possesses, its site being near the confluence of the river Concord, which falls into the river Merrimack, in the north-east part of the town. The following are the STATISTICS OF THE CITY OF LOWELL. 5,320 6,400 31,004 Males employed 8,978 Pounds clean wool do. 2,481,000 82.000 25,000 823,000 75,000 Average wages of Females, clear of board, per week..dls.2.00 Average wages of Males, clear of board, per day "0.80 Medium produce of a Loom, No. 14 yarn, y'ds. per day yds.45 Medium produce of a Loom, No. 30 yarn, y'ds. yer day 38 Average per Spindle, yards per day. 11-4 There are six banks-the Lowell, capital 200,000 dollars; the Railroad, capital 600,000 dollars; the Apoleton, capital 200,000 dollars; the Prescott, capital 200,000 dollars; the Wamesi, capital 150,00 dollars; the Merchants', capital 100,000 dollars. The population of Lowell in 1828 was 3,532. In 1840 it was 20,796, in 1850 it was 33,383, in 1860 it was 37,069. Increase in ten years, 3.586. The Lowell Machine Shop, included among the above mills, can furnish machinery complete for a mill of 6,000 spindles, in three months. The several manufacturing companies have established a hospital for the convenience and comfort of persons employed by them respectively, when sick, which is under the superintendence of one of the best of surgeons and physicians. Expense per week: Males, 4 dollars; Females, 3 dollars. There are three institutions for savings-The Lowell, the City, and Five Cent Savings Bank. The Lowell had on deposit, Nov. 22, 1859, from 5,435 depositors, 1,141,973 dollars and 73 cents. The City, Nov. 24, 1860, had on deposit from 6,156 depositors, 1,670,645 dollars and 37 cents. The operatives in the mills are the principal depositors in the above banks. A "Five Cents Savings Bank" went into operation June, 1854, and on the 15th December, 1860, the amount of deposits was 567,207 dollars, from 5,715 depositors. A reservoir, of great capacity, has been built on the high ground in Belvidere, east of the city, for the purpose of furnishing a ready supply of water to any part of the city in case of fire. The water is conveyed into the reservoir by force pumps from the Lowell Machine Shop. Pipes are laid from the reservoir to various parts of the city, at which points hose can be attached to the hydrants without delay, when necessary. The proprietors of the locks and canals on Merrimack River (James B. Francis, agent), incorporated in 1792, are the owners and managers of the water power. They have leased to the manufacturing companies water power amounting in the aggregate to about 10,000 horse power. The stock in this company is owned by the manufacturing companies, in the same proportions in which they hold the water power; the rents paid are only sufficient to pay the expenses of management and maintenance of the power. This company carry en the Burnettising process, by which timber is rendered more durable. From one to two millions of feet are prepared by them annually. They also keep up a staff of engineers, for purposes connected with the use and distribution of the water power. Few cities have increased at a higher ratio than Lowell, for less than fifty years ago there were not 200 inhabitants in the entire district. During the last year 33 of the cotton mills employed 948 males, and 1,650 females. They produced 7,125,953 dollars' worth of fabrics. Two ca ico and muslin-delaine mills employed 188 males, and 11 females, and produced 3,167,122 dollars' worth of fabrics. Fifteen woollen mills employed 699 males, and 626 females, and turned out 2,620,214 dollars' worth of fabrics. Five carpet mills employed 382 males, and 573 females, and turned out 3,570,4 35 dollars' worth of carpeting. While the city occupies a prominent position for its commercial and manufacturing enterprise, it is no less distinguished for other qualities which give a community a title to national favour. When the storm of war burst forth in its relentless fury, the citizens of Lowell were the first to respond to the call of the President, sacrificing her noblest sons with an heroic determination that the starry flag should be made to wave undisputed over a free and undivided country. The commonwealth of Massachussetts pledged to provide for the families of her soldiers, and the municipal authorities were made the dispensers of this bounty. The city of Lowell, during 1864, supported thirteen hundred families in this way. The free schools of Lowell are the pride of its citizens. Here all is equality-the children of the capitalist and the labourer standing on the same level-talent and application can alone give superiority. The amount expended on these schools for the year was 49,386 dollars. A reformatory school is also liberally supported, the object of the institution being the confinement of habitual truants, and the reformation of those who have entered the threshold of a life of crime. The yearly expenditure was 11.874 dollars. A special act was approved in 1862, giving to the city authorities power to make provisions and arrangements concerning habitual truants, and also concerning children wandering about the streets or public places, having no lawful occupation or business, not attending school, and growing up in ignorance between the ages of seven and sixteen years A fine of 20 dollars may be inflicted for each offence, or, at the discretion of the justice or court having jurisdiction, instead of the fine, the delinquent may be sent to a reformatory for any space of time not exceeding two years By this law, the education of all the people of this city is secured, for it becomes criminal to live in an uneducated condition. The city expended on school houses during the year 15,671 dollars. Nov. 24.-Oue of the beneficial results which have followed from the adoption of a liberal system of education in Lowell and other portions of the New England States, has been the elevation of women to a higher social position. It has also imparted a thirst for literature such as is not generally expe rienced where intellectual culture is neglected While visiting one of the mills I was presented with a copy of "The Lowell Offering and Magazine," written and edited by female factory operatives. I was much pleased with the production, and felt much regret that nothing of the kind had been attempted in England. I am well aware that there are only few of the female factory operatives in England whose educational attainments are such as to render them competent for such a task, but the probability is that, if a few of the more cultivated minds were to organise themselves into a kind of literary club, they would be able to produce some pleasant readable matter, calculated to elevate and improve the minds of their readers. It may be said that at present the whole field of literature is occupied by the sterner sex, and ladies whose accomplished minds are peculiarly adapted for such refined avocations. This, however, is a great mistake. There are topics which are scarcely ever touched upon at present which might be rendered very edifying to the female operatives in the cotton factories of Lancashire As an illustration of this I will copy from the "Lowell Offering," before me, an article written by one of the female factory operatives here, which will show how much can be made from a very simple and common-place subject. The article referred to is entitled "The Prospect from my Window in the Mill." I give it entire, as it appears in the publication already named: "Directly below my window passes the combination of nature and human invention, forming a canal, whose smooth surface sparkles beneath the rays of the sun, with countless emanations of brightness, as it flows calmly and slowly, but steadily on, in its undeviating path of usefulness, like the movements of many among the most useful and excellent members of society. On the opposite side stands an establishment for the construction of various kinds of machinery used in different parts of the country, adding much to the interest of our growing city. Here many of the stronger sex find appropriate and profitable occupation; and in all the dignity of their superior endowments, are kept, as many as can find employment, in labour and confinement, at least no less irksome than that of any factory girl. A little farther, is a small establishment used for similar purposes. Beyond these, and the green yard adjoining them, and meeting, in my view, the glorious horizon, I see smiling white cottages, interspersed with fine young trees refreshing to the eye, and beautifully displaying the taste and industry of our good citizens. As seen in the distance in the 6 spring and summer months, they sometimes remind one of large and beautiful buds of white roses half concealed by their green leaves. At the left, I have a glance of the railroad cars as they pass, carrying to and fro many of the strangers who visit our American Manchester' on business, or for curiosity and pleasure. At my right and left, I have a delightful prospect of hills and trees, together with the habitations of my fellow-beings. There are, also, scattered in different directions, the spires of seven churches, all pointing upward, as if to direct our thoughts and aspirations above this beautiful but fading earth to bright scenes of enduring felicity. Not much of a prospect after all, says some lover of the sublime and romantic. True, it exhibits no mountains towering high, with ravines deep, or reposing lakes, nor splendid castles, and magnificence of art, nor yet the most pleasant portion of our own goodly city, but it has enough of beauty in nature and art to call into exercise a perception of the beautiful and sublime, and cause me often to wish a poet's eye, or a painter's skill. Enough without or within my window to call for heartfelt gratitude, in reminding me that I have a residence in an enlightened and Christian land, and enough of nature's loveliness to lead the mind through nature up to nature's God.' And how can I forget this awfully glorious and sublime subject of contemplation, in full view of seven church spires, including in the number the steeple towering above the sacred walls, within whose loved enclosures I have chosen to worship ?— where I have so often listened to religious instruction with delight, as it came in language of persuasive and convincing eloquence, from lips uttering the effusions of a pious and benevolent heart, warm with the love of God and man, and glowing with intense interest for the welfare of immortal spirits,-where, while bowing with the children of God, we have often realised with the poet Rich dews of grace come o'er us, In many a gentle shower, Are opening every hour." The Nov. 25.-Had a pleasant country walk on the let bank of the Merrimack River. In the evening I attended a public meeting of working-men, to decide about the election of mavor of the city for the ensuing year. Jackson Hall was filled with a well-dressed audience. The proceedings were of a very orderly character, and the speeches, consider ng that they were all delivered by working-men, were appropriate and telling. Great stress was laid on the fact that in America the people are the source of power, and it was urged that they ought to elect to office a man who would seek to promote the interest of all. One of the speakers was very earnest in the advocacy of the establishment of a co-operative store for the sale of articles of domestic use. Nov. 26 (Sunday).-In the morning I attended public service at the Spiritualist Church, which is here open to all. Ou entering the church, I observed the following notice conspicuously posted: "Spiritual and Magnetic Physician. Mrs. Booker has, in compliance with the urgent request of her numerous friends, and a sense of obligation in her own conscience to the claims which suffering humanity has upon her, consented to give up her domestic duties and devote her time entirely to the healing of the sick by the laying on of hands, &c The unprecedented success with which Mrs. Booker has been blessed in her labours of humanity, renders this decision absolutely necessary. In addition to the wonderful powers of heal. ing with which Mrs Booker has been invested by spirit agency, she is daily favoured with panoramic visions of the beauties and sublimities of the summer land, both in a normal and abnormal condition of mind Multitudes of the inhabitants of the spirit land present themselves daily to her spiritual view, bearing upon their brows mottoes and inscriptions descriptive of their blessed condition. Mrs. Booker can also describe the conduct of distant friends with astonishing accuracy. All these phases of mediumistic power with which Mrs. B. is invested, render her peculiarly interesting, and, being naturally of a sober and sedate cast of mind, those who may visit her for examinations will feel themselves perfectly sate from those impositions which are too often found associated with this sacred power." Testimonials of astonishing cures were apperded, one of which testified that a person who was blind of both eyes, had an arm paralysed, and the head turned from front to crown, yet, in five days, without medicine, was cured through the instrumentality of Mrs. Booker. The service was conducted in the Sunday School under the church, and was largely attended. The company was divided into groups bearing different names; as the star group, the evangel group, ocean group, river group, liberty group, banner group, temple group, excelsior group, and others. The subject under consideration was "Charity," and it was expected that some one connected with each group would have something to say upon the question. One person in evangel group said that charity was love, and was the producer of harmony. If there were more love there would be more of heaven, and it would not be heaven at a great distance, but it would be heaven very near-A person in liberty group said it was about eight years since he became acquainted with the philosophy of spiritualism, and since then every flower had become more beautiful, and every child had become the object of his care - A lady belonging to temple group contended that those who, at the risk of their own lives, had been fighting for the liberation of the slaves in the late war, had been animated by a spirit of charity.A member of the liberty group said he was born on one of the green mountains of Vermont, but he was going amongst the broad prairies of the West, where he intended to exhibit in his life the charity he taught to othe s.-Another person spoke of a mother who taught her children never to let any day pass without endeavouring to do something to make others happy. One of her girls, on being questioned, said she had done nothing to make anyone happy that day, but there was a girl at school who laid her head on the bench and wept, and, as she could not tell why she wept, she put her arms round her and wept too. The mother said that her daughter had acted nobly, for charity was sometimes shown by weeping with them that weep. On the conclusion of the speaking, a collection was made for the benefit of a poor sick cripple. An antitobacco society was also formed, and persons who joined it had to sign a pledge similar in principle to the temperance pledge Banners were then distributed amongst the members of the Spiritualist church, and they all commenced marching to the st ains of music. As I had never witnessed anything of the kind before, it seemed very odd; nevertheless, the placid countenances and modest behaviour of the women, left an impression on my mind that they were imbued by religious feeling I was told that the colours exhibited on the banners had a meaning which the uninitiated could not understand. marching is supposed to be favourable to the cultivation of religious feeling, as well as being useful in affording bodily exercise-In the afternoon I had a pleasant walk of five miles on the right bank of the river Merrimack. The day was beautifully fine, and quite warm enough for a person to dispense with an overcoat. Up to the present time the weather had been warmer than it usually is in England. I have only known three wet days since I arrived in America in the early part of September-In the evening I went to the Spiritualist church, which was crowded. The preacher, whose name I don't remember, The had been a Baptist minister about twenty years, and he appeared to possess considerable talent as a speaker, but I find great difficulty in understanding the peculiarities of the Spiritualists. Referring to the imprisonment of Paul and Silas, he contended that it was evident that they were mediums, and that the spirits were with them during their confinement. LOWELL, Nov. 27.-Had an interview with J. G. Peabody, Esq, mayor of Lowell During our conversation he expressed himself very confidently that the Southern States would become immensely rich if they had only the same amount of commercial and manufacturing enterprise which pervaded the North. The richness and productiveness of the soil of Virginia, together with its immense water power, peculiarly fitted it to equal or surpass England as a manufacturing district I paid a visit to the works of the Merrimack Manufacturing Company. Here the joint-stock companies are called corporations, and have been eminently successful, as they have richly deserve to be, for I have not seen anywhere such benevolent efforts put forth for the welfare of the operatives as are here exhibited. Four or five streets have been built by this company as boardinghouses, and they are lofty, pleasant-looking residences. One block cost the proprietors 80,000 dollars, and the rents received only yield three per cent. per annum. The plan which is adopted is to let a house to a widow or respectable family, and they are expected to take in young women who are workers at the mill, and each pay out of their wages two dollars and seventy-five cents per week for their board, lodging, and washing. The proprietors of the works pay to the boarding house keeper a sum weekly in addition for each of the boarders. The factory operative is not liged to live in any of the houses except she likes; but if she makes her own arrangements she will have to pay the entire cost herself, as the company will make no allowance to other boarding-houses, and the consequence is that nearly all the factory workers live in the houses provided by the proprietors, which cover an area of fifty acres of land. The boarding-house keepers are expected to exercise a salutary oversight of the young people who live with them, especially with respect to their moral conduct One of the superintendents of the mill told. me that he had never known a case of a woman being drunk except she was Irish or Scotch. Indeed, such was the high standard of morality amongst the factory-workers themselves, that the superintendent told me that if there were a woman in their employ who was not strictly virtuous, they would be obliged to discharge her, for if they did not do so the other women would leave the mill. He said that he had been superintendent sixteen years, and although the e had been at times as many as 1,600 or 1,700 women employed at once, he had never, during the whole of the sixteen years, known more than one case of bastardy. There have been many changes. brought about by the operations of the late war which have been of a very injurious character, and perhaps nowhere have those changes been more obvious than at the works of the Merrimack Company. When the war commenced the company had a very large stock of raw cotton on hand, the value of which rose very rapidly, and as it was not expected that the war would last very long, they sold off the cotton at such a high rate that it left an immense profit, and the company never realized a higher dividend. But when they had worked up what remained of the stock in hand, they stopped the works, as they were not willing to purchase more at the high rates which prevailed, and during two years the works remained closed. The factory workers got dispersed, and there was some difficulty to get others in their places. Even now they have only about three-fourths of the hands which the machinery requires. Workpeople are required at other mills also, for one young woman told me that in the room where she was employed seventy-five more weavers were wanted. This scarcity of workpeople has caused the proprietors to be less nice about what kind they employed, and the new hands received were chiefly Irish, whose moral and intellectual culture was not equal to that which the previous work people had manifested. One lady in the city informed me that the deterioration was such that it was no longer regarded as respectable for young women to go to the mill, and consequently many had devoted themselves to dressmaking and other avocations. In a conversation I had with one of the overlookers, he said that some of the young women were as competent now for literary labours as they ever had been, but the workpeople on the whole were not equal in accomplishments to what they were formerly. Another foreman told me that he had charge of 140 young women, and out of that number there were only twelve who could not read and write, and of these they were all Irish except one, who was a Frenchwoman, and she was now learning to write, and made rapid progress. Some of the Irish learn to write after coming to Lowell, and indeed an ignorant person will find so few associates, that if she possesses any self-re |