garded as so important, that up to the present time the insurance companies denominate a portion of the mechanical contents of a cotton-spinning mill, as "clock and watchmaker's work." Beyond these, and in addition to the inventors Wyatt, Arkwright, Highs, Paul, Hargreaves, Kay, Crompton, and Watt, were the energetic spirits of the employing class, who were the immediate and future promoters of the cotton trade, the names of many of whom are familiar to all,-the Strutts, Peels, Evanses, Drinkwaters, Marslands, Houldsworths, M'Connels, Kennedys, Ewarts, Murrays, Smiths, Philipses, Birleys, Finlays, Kelleys, Horrockses, Gregs, Ainsworths, Ashworths, and Ashtons, besides other worthies. Nor should the fact be omitted, that pecuniary facilities of great value were afforded to the rising trade by the eminent bankers of Lancashire.

During that period other important and valuable acquisitions had been obtained by the improvements effected in the communication between Liverpool, the destined port of the cotton-trade, and its manufacturing capital, Manchester. Up to the seventeenth century, goods passing between these places of advancing importance had been carried by pack horses and in waggons; but in 1720 an Act of Parliament was obtained for rendering the idle waters of the rivers Irwell and Mersey useful and Lavigable, though much opposed by the pack horse and waggon interests. In 1758, however, the Duke of Bridgewater engaged that most practical and distinguished engineer, Brindley, to construct works in harmony with the other achievements of his time; and he was empowered to disembowel the estate of the duke at Worsley of coal, and to construct a canal to convey that welcome fuel to the profitable market of Manchester. This engineer, with singular boldness directed his canal at a low level, to penetrate the very mines which were to be excavated, and he proposed to cross the river Irwell at Barton by an aque

duct at a considerable height; but before he would proceed with his design he desired his patron to consult some experienced engineer upon the difficulty to be surmounted; and on the duke applying to such a one, the sarcastic reply was, "That many a castle in the air had been projected, but the place which one was intended to occupy was only then pointed out:" but, with unbounded confidence in Brindley, the duke ordered the work to be executed, and the first canal of our country started into successful existence. Assured of the success of a new and a great principle, and seeing with prophetic penetration that the growing wants of an infant manufacturing and commercial community would require facilities of transit in addition to the retiring pack-horse, to the waggon and river conveyances, and that a canal might be constructed with great advantage, to place Liverpool and Manchester in more direct and immediate communication, in 1762 was begun the celebrated Bridgewater Canal, which became another triumph of that energetic age; but it may be well to remark, that before the legislature sanctioned this last projection, the interests of the old carriers, including the river company, were fiercely directed against this innovation upon vested privileges. Conveyance was of indispensable importance to the industry which had continually enlarged its productions; it was requisite for the transport of fuel, food, raw materials, and manufactured goods; as well as for those business visits which merchants and manufacturers had to exchange, and which were then effected by that novel agent a stage-coach. Subsequently the career of progress decreed that the mighty power of steam should be the impelling principle of traffic and locomotion; and here, again, the energy of Lancashire was displayed, for the first efficient railway in the kingdom was established between Liverpool and Manchester, continuing to their trade and commerce the onward impulse of

THE

rapid progress. Was this railway established without difficulty? No! The engineering difficulties were said to be insurmountable; but before these were permitted to be grappled with, the legislature, through the combined and powerful interests of the carriers upon the old roads, the proprietors of coaches, canals, the river navigation, and of extensive landowners who had not the penetration to discem that a new path of progress was projected which would enhance the value of their own property and also benefit the public, RESISTED PROPOSITION; and it was only when selfish interests were made to succumb to the general good, that an Act of Parliament was obtained for the first railway. Yet, so jealous had the legislature been of every innovation, that the Sankey Canal, of some six miles long, near Warrington, had only been allowed to be made with the express condition, that the boats intended to ply upon it should be propelled by no power except that of human labour; but in derision of antiquated contrivances and all obstacles, the railway admonishes the advocate of retrogression, for on passing along its line, the traveller may survey the comparatively deserted old highroad, that conserved canal where men are still beasts of burden, the Bridgewater Canal, and the old river; and steam, the schoolmaster of improvement, now leaves far behind the slow boats and slow coaches of former days.

With becoming spirit and intelligence Liverpool did its duty, and the merchants of that port from time to time increased their spreading sails, and provided docks, and quays, and other facilities for mercantile convenience, all ministering to the extending cotton trade; the public works of Liverpool being honourable monuments of skill, labour, and usefulness.

When gas was applied, nearly half a century ago, to purposes of illumination, the large cotton spinning

concern of Philips and Lee, in Salford, was the first to test on a large scale the advantages of the new light, proving the avidity with which every improvement was embraced in the manufacturing districts.

England had evidently a destined duty to perform, her sons having been the honoured representatives of genius and labour. Their inventions and discoveries have enriched the parent land, employed an increasing population, contributed largely to the national exchequer, and have tended to civilise the rude and untutored among the neglected classes in various portions of the British isles. Nor should the soothing influence of well conducted commerce upon distant countries be forgotten-for the handmaid of Industry is Peace! Still, at this juncture were further resources of science and skill to be displayed. An essential preparation of the ordinary products of the loom for the market and consumer is the operation of bleaching, which, by the old processes of immersions, washings, and exposure to the action of the sun and air, required several months to accomplish; and in relief of the inventive toil of Great Britain, Germany gave her Scheele, and France her Berthollet, to teach how the oxymuriatic acid could effect, in as few days as previous months had been employed, the bleaching of the fabrics, the augmented production of which might have been retarded without the chemical aid now offered by chlorine. Yet other kindred spirits were wanting to complete the requirements of this eventful and inventive period. The sympathy of the age extended, and expanding efforts across the wide Atlantic prompted an AngloSaxon cultivator of the soil of the United States to hazard the attempt to grow cotton for the English market. Though last in this cycle of invention and improvement, the cultivation of cotton was, of all accessories, the indispensable concomitant of the newly-developed and maturing industry. American shrewdness, skill, and perseverance, were powerful

auxiliaries in the new race that scientific mechanical and manufacturing facilities were introducing, to the annihilation of all barbarous and unskilled modes of conducting the operations of industry, and to contests and competitions with those of increasing means and power, at home and abroad, more severe than trade and commerce had ever encountered. And now was ushered into the world this new industry, and upon the waters of the ocean a commerce unrivalled; the smallest barques having cradled its birth, whilst in its growth the largest and proudest vessels, riding in every sea, have been insufficient to sustain its greatness; and the wind and the wave being inadequate, and steam not having achieved its destined service to man, in increasing his wealth and comfort, its power has ploughed the deep more fleetly than the wing-footed Mercury, carrying his labours and messengers in the pursuit-if of objects of gain, surely and certainly at the same time diffusing knowledge and civilisation to the dark regions of the earth. For a moment, then, survey the wonderful combination of events which has contributed to these mighty results. Inquire by what spell have these varied and harmonising inventions and improvements been established. Facts and results proclaim that the power of knowledge has wrought these wonders, aided by the lever of life-industry; but truth also proclaims that, in subordination to the all-wise Director of the moral government of the world, there has been a purpose to serve exceeding in importance the accumulation of wealth and manufacturing supremacy. Not to serve the aggrandisement of a single nation did the pulsations of genius throb at the same singular period of time in the minds of men honoured by their inventions and improvements, both here and in distant countries, but in obedience to that hidden, mysterious, and beneficent Power wisely directing, upholding, and controlling the elements of mind and of material, which work His designs for