candour the critics may award? Again he is deemed guilty of estimating too lightly the authority of that fearful fraternity of literary law-givers. An author is fortunate if he avoid execution on this manifold dilemma; one mode of escape, and but one, presents itself. They who perform even an unimportant office skilfully seldom fail to acquire some commendation; surely, then, he who enters the thorny path of authorship with the view of rendering to the Public a service long desired, by attempting to fill up a page of the national history which heretofore has been blank, may reasonably anticipate, even though the execution of his work be not the most able, that, if he should not earn the mede of applause, at least he will be favored by an abstinence from rigid censure. Manchester has had no continuous modern historian. We know much, enough perhaps, of her rise and progress to a comparatively recent date; but the point at which all historians have stayed their pen is precisely that as to which inquiry is now most active. It is pleasing to know whence this great community sprang, how it grew in wealth and population, through what trials it passed in remote times; but other and weightier considerations than those of mere literary or local curiosity are involved in an investigation of the progress of our manufactures during the last half century, the social condition of our operative population, our existing system of local government, and our progress in the culture of science and literature. Ready means of acquiring information on these topics have long been needed; and surely he who has striven to supply them, albeit prompted to the task in part by the pardonable ambition of having his name associated with that of his native town, may fairly claim that if he be summoned at all before the "securifera caterva" of critics, their dreadful hatchets may be veiled, as of old, in the peace-proclaiming fasces, and his work be spared from actual annihilation. Beyond the utterance of this fervent wish, little remains to be said. The Author feels bound however to state, that if censure must fall anywhere, he alone is liable to the burthen of it, inasmuch as, with scarcely an exception, he has encountered the most friendly aid in his search after information and his appeals for assistance. The various public authorities, and the representatives of local institutions, (among the latter of which the Statistical Society claims a special mention) have afforded him every facility; and he has been honoured with the countenance and co-operation, not merely of several personal friends to whose high literary attainments he could appeal without hesitation, It may not, perhaps, be improper to state, that PRESTWICH, SEPTEMBER, 1836. CHAPTER I.-Origin of the Town-Roman Station-Castle Field- Aborigines-Manners, Costume, Dwellings-Handicrafts-Progress of Civili- zation-Roman Roads-Druidism-Christianity-Fall of Rome-Departure of Roman Forces-Pictish Invasion-Manchester Fortress Seized-Sir Tarquin the Giant-King Arthur-The Saxons-Settle in Lancashire-Aldport Town- Baron's Hall- Churches-Deanery of Manchester-Old Localities-Danes seize Manchester-Norman Conquest-William of Poictou-Lord of the Manor The Reeve-The Baron-Summoned to Parliament-The Gralleys and the De la Warres-The Mossleys-The Collegiate Church, or College of the Blessed Virgin-Reformation-Clergy of Lancashire-Extent of Manchester-Early Trade-Right of Sanctuary removed from Town-College Dissolved-Progress of Reformation-John Bradford-Pendlebury-Elizabeth's Reign-Roman Catholics-Lancashire Plots-Recusants-Imprisoned at Manchester-Bishop removes from Town-College Refounded-Revenues Alienated-Recusants Executed-Martin Marprelate-Severe Penal Laws-Plague-Burying Ground CHAP. II.-James I. Visits Lancashire-Warden Murrey-Puritans and and Papists-The Traffords-College Refounded-Warden Heyrick-Civil War -Forces levied in Lancashire-Earl of Derby; his Treatment-Manchester Royalists and Republicans-Heyrick's Petition to the King-Militia called out- Lord Strange marches towards Manchester-Commencement of Hostilities- Manchester Attacked-Troops Withdrawn-Town Fortified-Col. Roseworm- Siege-Failure-Narrative in "Parliamentary Chronicle"-Exploits of Man- chester Troops-Earl of Newcastle's Summons to Surrender-Duke of Man- chester-Delinquents Fined-Siege of Lathom House-Plague-Roseworm's Dispute-The Presbyterians-Clergy of the Collegiate Church- Heyrick- Hollingworth-Provincial Synod-Independents-Protectorate-Committee of Sequestration-Prince Charles's Expedition - Earl of Derby Beheaded- Renewed Rebellion-Restoration-Rejoicings-Popular Sports Restored-Act of Uniformity-Lancashire Seceders - Charles Bennet-Lord Delamere- James II. Expelled-Lancashire Plot-Newcombe-Chevalier St. George- Nonjurors-Dr. Byrom--Dr. Peploe-Taxes-Mode of Assessment-Taxation of Townships and Parishes-Increase of Town. CHAP. III.-Rebellion of 1745-Deacon, Townley, Byrom, Dickenson -The Clergy-The Pretender-Meetings at Jackson's Ferry-Battle of Preston -Forward March-Retreat-Departure from Manchester-Prisoners-Their Fate-The Deacons - Captain Dawson-Jacobite Remains-Party Spirit- Earthquakes-Census-American War-Manchester Volunteers-Police- Executions near Manchester - Early Travelling - Thomas Walker-French Revolution-Distress at Home-Volunteers-High Price of Food-Commotions. CHAP. IV.-Peace of Amiens-Threatened Invasions- - Preparations for Defence Returns of Forces and Property Volunteer Corps-Female Enthusiasm-Earl of Wilton-Prince William of Gloucester-Dispute among Volunteers-Disbanded-Trade Riots-Canning-Miss Robinson-Manchester Meetings-Counter-movements -- Blanketeers-Conspiracy- Parties Seized- Watch and Ward-Yeomanry · Whitworth, Ogden, Knight, &c. - Stockport and other Meetings - Trials- Reform Associations - Females - Sixteenth of August-Result-National Ferment-The Magistracy-Addresses to Prince Regent-Radical Meetings- Cobbett-Hunt's Trial-Tranquillity Restored-George IV. and Queen Caroline -Sir W. Scott-Earl of Wilton-Distress in 1825-6-Causes-Lord Bexley- F. D. Astley-Mr. Price-The Wakefields-Musical Festival-Representation- Distress-Mr. T. Burne-Duke of Wellington, Lord F. Egerton, and Sir R. Peel's Visit-Reform Agitation-Meetings-Turns-out-Mr. T. Ashton's Murder-Cholera-Number of Cases-Deaths and Recoveries-Board of Health -Statistics-Elections-Expenses-Voters for Manchester and Salford, and CHAP. I.-Commerce-Traffic with Greeks-Port of Ribchester-Roman Arts and Civilization - Fairs - Fustians - Cottons-Woollens - Humphrey Chetham-French and Low Country Artizans - Increase of Population- Liverpool-Goods Imported and Exported from 1697-Price of Food-Character of Merchants and Traders-Apprentices-Domestic Habits. CHAP. II.-Dearth of Yarn-Increase of Manufactures-Water Frame Spinning Jenny-Carding-The Willow-Scutching Frame-Lapping Machine -Mule Jenny-Crompton-Thomas Highs-Arkwright-Hargreaves-Double Mule-Throstle-Fly Frame-Tube Frame-The Steam Engine-Successive Improvements - Watt-Power-loom - Bleaching - Calico-printing-- Dyeing -Increased Imports and Exports from 1701-Export of Twist-Estimated Extent of Cotton Trade in 1817 and in 1833-Trade with the East-Indian Manufactures -British Competition-Tables of Goods Exported, Description, Money Value- Number of Spindles Employed-Shipping - Customs Levied at Liverpool Lancaster and Chester-Growth of Cotton Manufacture in 1834-5-6. CHAP. III.-The Factory System-Commission of Inquiry-Evidence |