at such low rates as to be enabled to enjoy the luxury of a fire to an extent unknown to the labourers of the southern counties. The head of the first family who migrated declared that not all the horses in Buckinghamshire should draw himself and family back to his parish. Similar expressions of satisfaction at the change were made by others of the heads of families to Dr. Kay. The employers of the work-people have expressed themselves well satisfied with the conduct of these southern families, and have declared their intention of seeking families from the same districts in the event of their requiring additional hands. On the other hand, the migrants have been cordially received by the established manufacturing operatives. This circumstance is accounted for partly by their mutual preference for their own countrymen, and partly from the fact that the adult operatives participate in the advantages of a supply of young working hands, as the increase is requisite for the advancement of their own more skilled labour. It has been reported to us, that so sensible have been the adult operatives of those districts of the necessity of an increased supply of hands, that although they have sometimes been guilty of acts of riot to prevent the introduction of new machinery, scarcely any instances are on record where they have taken steps to resist with violence the influx of new hands. The effect of the migration upon the parishes has been a proportionate reduction of the rates. It has been reported to us that in the parish of Bledlow, where the experiment was first tried, the rates were reduced one-half, mainly in consequence of the migration." These bright prospects dazzled the agriculturists, who, in the last autumn, unfortunately so far over-stepped the bounds of prudence as to send hither, on their own responsibility and without due precaution, a number of farming labourers and children, who found themselves without resource, among strangers. Fortunately they were properly

cared for by the parish officers, but it is to be hoped that no such unauthorized experiments will again be tried. Last year a gentleman was sent down to Manchester by the Poor Law Commissioners, for the express purpose of superintending and keeping within due bounds the location of new labour, and the public have the promise of the Commissioners themselves that "to whatever extent it may be found expedient to promote further migration," they will "in no case promote a removal of any labourer to the manufacturing districts, where there is not a clear and specific demand for the labourers to be removed; and in all cases they will deem the gradual absorption, family by family, preferable to the removal of considerable

numbers."

APPENDIX TO PART II.

BANKRUPTCIES IN THE COTTON TRADE.

It is curious to observe the mishaps which have occurred in the cotton trade since its foundation. Looking to the Gazettes, the first bankrupt described as a "cotton-spinner" appears in the year 1786. The subsequent numbers in each year shew that, great as is the capital embarked and immense the number of factories, the business is not always a flourishing one. An indefatigable friend of the Author has compiled for him the following paper:

No. of No. of
Commis- Indivi- Year.

This, of course, is not inclusive of the private compromises effected with creditors, of which the number is great. Another item of loss of capital in the cotton trade-and it is an important one-arises from the destruction by fire. Within the memory of the gentleman who furnished the above table, not less than forty factories in Manchester and the district have been burnt down.

CONTINENTAL FAIRS.

In the days of its infancy, the cotton trade of Manchester was greatly dependent on the Chester and Wrexham fairs, which are now only known as boyish holidays. The continental fairs have assumed the importance which formerly attached to those in England, and it is therefore material to know the dates of their occurrence. They are here subjoined :

In May and June there are no fairs, and by consequence the Manchester, Rochdale, Leeds, Bradford and other principal markets are flat and dull during the whole of May and a part of June. Great anxiety used to be felt as to the goodness or badness of the Chester and Wrexham fair markets; and the same anxiety, heightened of course in proportion to the increased extent of the trade, now attaches to the German fairs.

N.B. Goods intended for one of the above fairs ought to be forwarded from Manchester at least four weeks prior to the fair.

PART III.

CHAPTER I.

The following particulars of the population of Manchester and its environs, are derived from the returns published by order of Government, from tables drawn out by Mr. Rickman, and from other authentic sources.

TABLE SHEWING THE RAPID INCREASE OF THE POPULATION OF THIS PARISH SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PRESENT CENTURY, AND THE ANNUAL VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY IN IN EACH TOWNSHIP, AS ASSESSED FOR THE PROPERTY TAX IN 1815:

50,000 out of 60,000," the hundreds of Salford and West Derby, in Manchester and Liverpool," not less than *A "large portion" of these are indirectly employed in commerce and trade: "in