for this general reform, by introducing salutary regulations into his own factories; limiting the hours of labour, that the growth of the children might not be impeded; providing them proper nutriment, insisting on the observance of cleanliness in their workingrooms, their persons, and sleeping apartments. He ever considered these unfortunate and deserted beings as a part of his own family, and felt it incumbent on him to afford them instruction, both religious and moral. He has, therefore, for many years employed masters in the working-rooms, to whom each apprentice reads at least one lesson every day. In this practice of uniting mental instruction with labour, by an inconsiderable daily sacrifice of time, his most sanguine wishes were realized. Supported by this experience, after meeting with opposition from some who were impatient of any restrictions, and from others whose feelings were more compassionate than their judgment was informed, he succeeded by perseverance in obtaining an act passed for the preservation of the health and morals of apprentices in the cotton and woollen factories. And, convinced of the practicability as well as utility by the experiment made by Sir Robert Peel, it is hoped that the legislature will extend its protection to other classes of the poor, and at once promote public good and individual happiness, by regulations adapted to their respective situations and pursuits.

The cotton-trade has been so frequently alluded to, and is under so many obligations to the talents of Sir

Robert

Robert Peel, as well as an object of so much national importance, that it will require no apology for interweaving here a short abstract of its history. Lancashire is its emporium; and although the adjoining counties, and many parts of Scotland, participate in it, yet their combined amount is trifling, compared with its magnitude in the district to which we allude. Providence has not bestowed any large portion of fertile land on this part of the kingdom; but that deficiency has been amply compensated by abundance of coals, pure water, and powerful streams, without which factories cannot flourish. The barrenness of the soil is here concealed by the great number of handsome houses and neat cottages that attract the eye in every direction. Sir Robert Peel having engaged early in commercial pursuits, had acquired, when a very young man, not only a perfect knowledge of the various branches of the cotton-trade, but a very general acquaintance with the fundamental principles of cominerce, in its broad scale, as a national concern.

This great object, inconsiderable on his first con-. nexion with it, but seeming to grow with his growth, cannot but afford him a subject of just exultation, when he observes, that by the industry, ingenuity, and capitals employed in it, by himself and others, it is now become one of the great sources of national wealth and prosperity. But how enviable must be the enjoyment of his reflections, to witness the subsistence, affluence, and happiness diffused among the numerous families employed in his works, entrusted

with his property, and participating of the fruits of his industry. He seems to have considered the work-people employed by him as his partners, and would long since have withdrawn from these extensive concerns, had he not conceived himself of more essential service to the community, whilst so engag ed, than he could possibly have been in the shades of retirement. How often has he been heard to say, that one of the greatest satisfactions of his life arises from the persuasion that thousands are more benefited than himself by the active state of his capital! The poor acquire through this medium every necessary and convenience which can contribute to human comfort: the master cannot enjoy more, and is incumbered. with apprehensions and anxieties to which the former are strangers!

The extent to which the cotton-trade may be carried cannot perhaps be defined: the uses to which it is applied, and the various parts of the world into which it is introduced, have multiplied so rapidly, as to afford strong ground to hope that it has not yet grown much beyond the state of infancy. Its effects, in a national point of view, conduce so highly to the national prosperity, that our foreign rivals, deeply impressed with its importance, view its progress in this country with envy and regret. Timid minds only superficially acquainted with the various circumstances essential to success in it, have given way to unfounded fears of rivalship, and apprehend that we shall soon

The number of persons employed by him is not fewer than

FIFTEEN THOUSAND,

lose

lose our pre-eminence in this valuable traffic. Sir Robert Peel is remarkable for his confidence in the fallacy of these fears, contending that, as long as it receives the protection of government, it is fenced round with too many advantages to be easily diverted from its present channel. The nature, habits, and ingenuity peculiar to this country, are strong barriers which will never permit these suppositions to be realized. The liberal policy of this kingdom, and its free constitution, sanction, protect, and encourage men employing princely fortunes in trade, and enable them, with credit to themselves and advantage to the country, to push their commercial enterprizes to an extent unknown, and not to be attained in any other country. The capital employed in this trade, and in the different branches connected with it, and dependent upon it, is at least TWENTY MILLIONS STERLING; and the people engaged in and deriving support from it, are not fewer than EIGHT HUNDRED

THOUSAND.

The rapid progress of the cotton-trade was greatly assisted by ingenious improvements, invented by the unrivalled talents of the late Sir Rich. Arkwright. But his complex machinery has been since so much sinplified, and at the same time rendered so much more productive, so many improvements have been added, combined, and made to assist each other, that it now derives a great share of its practicable utility from the ingenuity of other hands. So circumstanced, so established and protected, have we any thing to apprehend from foreign rivalship? In the year 1780, the quan

tity of cotton-wool imported into Great Britain amounted to five millions of pounds weight; but from the average of the last three years, it may be stated from forty to fifty millions annually. Very little of this immense quantity is exported in an unimproved state. Ireland is provided with a little, and small quantities are occasionally sent to the continent.

There are no documents by which can be ascertained with accuracy the value of cotton goods manufactured for home and foreign consumption. About five millions of pounds of twist, in a state partly manufactured, are annually exported to the continent and Ireland. Suppose every pound of cotton is worth, on an average, when imported, eighteen pence, and when consumed at home, or sent abroad in a manufactured state, that it is worth eight shillings, the advantage to the nation will not be much less than FOURTEEN MILLIONS STERLING ANNUALLY. How much of this immense sum reaches his Majesty's exchequer, through the medium of duties, and the consumption. of exciscable commodities within the year in which the return is made, it is difficult to say, the only direct taxes being laid on cotton goods when printed, which are returned to the merchant on exportation. Sir Robert Peel's house pays upwards of FORTY THOU SAND POUNDS annually to the excise-office on printed goods.

When our local advantages are duly appreciated, as well as our knowledge, capital, and habits, it will be seen that this great national object affords a resource of a permanent nature, likely to increase, and promises

1803-1804.

D