The Needle-women.-This is a numerous and unhappy class of persons, subjected to excessive toil, insufficient wages, and all the disease, immorality, and suffering, incident thereto. Unable, from their sex and position, to make their condition known, and being friendless and povertystricken, they have suffered, unregarded by their more favoured fellow-creatures. They, poor, unfortunate creatures! pine in secret, languish in the back-attic, plying the weary needle to complete a shirt for a starving remuneration, until it drops from their emaciated fingers, and they finally sink into the grave, where their troubles end, and they are forgotten. But the great movement which has lately agitated the country, has caused them to be noticed. The horrors of their condition have been laid before the public gaze, and the details are such as are calculated to harrow up the feelings of the least sensitive breast. To alleviate their miseries an Association has been formed; and within the last month the first Annual Meeting was held in Willis's Rooms, at which Lord Ashley presided. Since its formation, the Committee have been actively engaged in finding out and relieving objects of distress. During the twelvemonth, 975 day-workers have been recommended at wages of not less than nine shillings per week. A great number have been regularly employed by the Association at the same rate of wages: many of whom had formerly been employed in making shirts at prices varying from twopence half-penny to one shilling each. After defraying all expenses, a balance remained in hand of £400.

Young Men's Christian Association.We have just received the First Report of this admirable Association.

It may

be considered as one of the first fruits of the Metropolitan Drapers' Association, and promises to be eminently useful in spreading the blessings of religion amongst that hitherto-neglected class of young men, the Drapers' Assistants. It owes its origin to the suggestion of Mr. W. D. Owen, of Great Coram-street, and has for its object "the improvement of the spiritual condition of young men engaged in the Drapery and other trades, by the introduction of religious services among them." This Report was read at a meeting of the members and friends, in Radley's' Hotel, November 8th, 1844, at which about two hundred young men were present. This Association was

formed in June, 1844; and already much good has been effected. There are about seventy enrolled members. Religious services have been established in sixteen houses,-into ten of which they were introduced through the instrumentality of this Association. At a special meeting of the Committee, held November 14th, it was resolved to employ a missionary to visit the different parts of the metropolis, and endeavour to form district associations -to visit the different houses in the trade -to recommend the establishment of religious services to visit young men in illness, and to attend generally to the spiritual wants of this numerous class. To enable the Committee to carry out their benevolent intentions, an appeal is made for subscriptions, which are essentially necessary, and will be received by the Secretaries, Messrs. Symons and Creese, 72, St. Paul's Church-yard.

The Linen Drapers, Silk Mercers, Lacemen's, Haberdashers', and Hosiers' Institution.-Although the pressure of matter is so great that we are obliged to postpone several articles intended for insertion, yet we cannot refrain from noticing briefly the claims which this benevolent institution has on our young men of business. Founded for their benefit, and with so good and so benevolent a design, it commends itself to every assistant, and, as far as our influence extends, we would desire to see every eligible member of our Association become a member of it. The Annual Meeting of the General Court takes place on Thursday, 20th February, when we hope to hear a favourable report of the past year's proceedings. The Annual Dinner is fixed for Tuesday, 25th February.

We shall take an early opportunity of dwelling at large on the merits and claims

of this noble institution.

PROVINCIAL.

Beverley. The principal tradesmen of this town have agreed to suspend business at seven o'clock in winter and eight o'clock in summer.

Birmingham.-The Booksellers and Stationers have consented to close their shops at half-past seven o'clock throughout the year. The Drapers and other tradesmen have also considerably shortened the duration of business-hours.

Bristol.-Great interest was excited in this city during the summer, by a Meeting, called by the Drapers' Association, in the

Victoria Rooms, to lay before the public the condition of the Assistant Tradesmen, and the measures pursued for procuring more leisure from the requirements of trade. The meeting was fully attended, and a very perceptible declension of evening trade has since then been witnessed.

Cheltenham.-Friday, November 22.A Public Meeting, in pursuance of a requisition most respectably signed, was called in the Town Hall by the Magistrates, to adopt measures for the Abolition of Late-Hour Business. The Rev. Francis Close, M. A., was called upon to preside, and was supported by the Clergy and Dissenting Ministers, and by a numerous body of the most influential inhabitants of the town. The Hall was completely filled with a respectable assemblage, who testified the warmest interest in the cause. The result was an unanimous resolution to promote the closing of places of business at seven o'clock in winter and eight in summer. At the conclusion of his speech, the Rev. A. M. Brown said,—“I am told that sometimes to meet the fashions at some of the Monday evening balls, in our own town, the Sabbath-hours are scarcely over, and one o'clock of a Monday morning is scarcely struck, when some poor, young, lovely, feeble girls are aroused to work, and from that time till within a short period of ten on Monday night, to attire the gay and giddy of the ball-room. Shame upon fashion! heartless fashion! thy gay attire is thus manufactured by feeble, faint, lovely, outworn, murdered woman! Yea! and that of a Saturday night, and on till Sabbath morning, to meet the wants of the Church and Chapelgoing of a Sabbath day, these poor things sit and sew;-oh! what a covering for a saint's heart thus fabricated!"

An Association has also been formed in this town, similar to that of London, to improve the condition of the Dressmakers.

Hereford.-At a Public Meeting, convened by the Mayor, and over which he presided, resolutions were passed condemnatory of the Late-Hour System, and recommending the adoption of an earlier hour for closing the shops; and the Tradesmen have commenced closing at eight o'clock throughout the year, with every prospect of permanency.

Hull.-The Assistant Drapers' Association of this town has recently held a Public Meeting, in the Jarrat-street Rooms, which has been successful in

rousing the sympathies of the public, and in causing a considerable portion of their customers to apply the most effectual remedy for the evil of Late Hours,-viz., that of abstaining from visiting the shops in the evening.

Lincoln. The Drapers' Association of this city has obtained an abridgment of the hours of labour to seven and eight o'clock, six months respectively.

Leamington.-The Drapers, Hosiers, Haberdashers, and Hatters have agreed to close their shops at seven, eight, and nine o'clock.

Liverpool.-Through the exertions of one individual, (Mr. Flower, President of the Assistant Tradesmen's Association,) the movement to shorten the hours of business has been eminently successful. The majority of the shops in this town are now closed at seven o'clock throughout the year; and it is affirmed that those which are kept open to a later hour are done so, not only without profit, but to an actual loss, from the consumption of gas.

Manchester.-This great commercial town, which it might be thought would have been one of the last to adopt measures, seemingly in opposition to the acquisition of wealth, has stood forth, and battled manfully, in the crusade against the late-hour system. A Manchester and Salford Drapers' Association has been formed; and the endeavours of the Committee have been rewarded by a considerable improvement in the condition of the shopmen. In the wholesale warehouses, also, an agreement has been entered into to close those establishments on Saturdays at noon, which measure has now been in operation some time, and seems to give general satisfaction.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Five or six years ago, the Drapers of this town, in compliance with a requisition from their Assistants, agreed to try the experiment of closing their shops at seven and eight o'clock, to see whether the assertion, that if more time was granted to their young men, they would abuse it. The result of this experiment has been so satisfactory, that they have now determined upon releasing their Assistants at seven o'clock in the summer, as well as in the winter months.

Reading. In this town the question of late hours of business has been taken up, almost enthusiastically, by the inhabitants. A large Meeting, called by the

them to come to terms with each other, and agree to close at an early hour pointing out to them the benefits which would result from so doing. Further, he appeals to the public, to show their approbation of the early-closing shops, by patronizing them and showing a preference

for the latter establishments.

It is true, that the love of gain is, in a great measure, the cause of the evil; and it is so powerful a principle in the heart of man, that in too many cases it supersedes the sense of justice, and leads to tyranny and oppression. But that the tradesman is wholly to blame in this matter is not true. He has to live by his shop; and so long as customers continue to visit it, he must keep his door open for their convenience; if he does not, he transfers the profits from his own till to that of his neighbour. With respect to their sentiments on the question, since this Essay was written, communications have been received by the Metropolitan Drapers' Association from almost all the employers in the metropolis. The majority of them are earnestly desirous that the late hours should be abolished, but are unable to close early, because a portion of the pub

lic still continue to visit them at night; and if agreements were entered into, as they have been before, to close at a stated hour, there would be many who would soon break through them, if customers clamoured at their doors for admittance; and this would, of course, throw open again all the other shops. Therefore it is the public who are to blame. It is they who, by visiting shops in the evening, cause them to be kept open; and it is to them that we must look for the remedy. The plan recommended by Mr. Flower, is the only peaceful and effectual remedy that can be applied. Its effects have been witnessed in London, as well as in Liverpool; and we trust the time is not far distant when complete success shall have crowned its operations. Notwithstanding these defects, this little work has done good service to the cause, by pioneering the way for future labours; and although experience has taught us the insufficiency of the course recommended to abolish the evil, yet, from the attractive style in which it is written, it may be of infinite use in directing attention to the subject, and causing those with whom lie the power to apply the remedy.

METROPOLITAN.

The Committee of the METROPOLITAN DRAPERS ASSOCIATION have recently been actively engaged in forwarding the objects of its formation. During the late autumn, various public meetings have been held, by means of which the principles of the Association have been widely disseminated. The most important of these took place in Exeter Hall, on Wednesday, October 9th. In the absence of the Lord Mayor, Mr. Alderman and Sheriff Sidney presided. Eloquent and animated speeches were delivered by the Rev. H. Hughes, M.A., Dr. James Copland, F.R.S., David W. Wire, Esq., George Thompson, Esq.,-and by the following Employers-Messrs. W. D. Owen, of Great Coram-street, Thomas

Hall, of Bishopsgate-street, James Shoolbred, of Tottenham Court-road, and Ambrose Moore, of Milk-street, which were responded to by the deafening cheers of the dense mass congregated together. The reserved seats were chiefly occupied by ladies, who appear ed to take a warm interest in the proceedings. Upon the platform were upwards of 500 employers, most of whom are favourable to the objects of the Association.

On Tuesday, December 8th, an inte resting Public Meeting was held in the Hall of the Mechanics' Institute, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, which was gratuitously lent for the occasion by the Committee of the Institution. Mr. Ambrose Moore, an employer, occupied the

chair, and speeches, denouncing the LateHour System, were delivered by the Rev. A. S. Thelwall, M. A., The Rev. J. Cumming, D. D., Joseph Payne, Esq., Barrister-at-Law, who recited the verses which appear in another part of this Magazine. On Friday, Oct. 18th, a Public Meeting, well attended, was held in the Temperance Hall, Chelsea, over which Mr. Lilwall presided, and which was characterized by great unanimity of sentiment and a zealous interest in the progress of the cause.

DISTRICT MEETINGS have also been held in most localities of the metropolis, where there has, almost uniformly, been evinced a desire amongst the Assistants

to free themselves from the thraldom of

the system, and amongst their employers, to aid them in their exertions.

Associations of other Trades. A general Association of all Trades has lately been formed. On Wednesday, Nov. 6th, a Meeting was held in the Percy Hotel, Rathbone Place; but, owing to the grasping demands of business, the chair was not taken until ten o'clock. The names of several members were enrolled, and a provisional committee of twenty-four appointed. Notwithstanding their unfavourable condition, with regard to the time at their disposal, we are glad to perceive that the Committee are exhibiting signs of activity and energy, several local meetings having

been held since that time. We trust this

Association will co-operate powerfully with that of the Drapers, in carrying out the objects for which they are established.

Booksellers and Stationers.-A Meeting of the members of these Trades has been held in Lovegrove's Coffee House, "to consider the expediency of petitioning the Employers to abridge the Hours of Business." The Meeting was fully attended, and we understand that, in many instances, an amelioration of their condition has taken place.

Pawnbrokers.-The Assistants of this Trade are subjected to exceedingly late hours, particularly on Saturday night. To remedy this grievance, an Association has been formed, and extensively supported by both employers and assistants, to obtain a legislative enactment to enforce a suspension of their business at an earlier hour than is now allowed.

Wholesale City Warehouses.-The wholesale dealers in the city are evidently men of business, and accustomed to activity

and dispatch. It was but the other day that they considered their warehouses closed sufficiently early; but the question was started, whether the business could not all be transacted by 6 o'clock, and whether it would not be better and more pleasant to have the evenings, in which to follow their inclinations, and to go whither they listed? They hearkened to the suggestion, admitted its desirability,and the consequence was, they met one evening, signed an agreement drawn up on the spur of the moment, and now all the large houses are closed at 6 o'clock precisely.

Aldersgate Street Institution.-A Meeting of the members took place on the 3rd of December, to discuss the question of late hours of business. J. Richardson, Esq. presided, and the unanimous expression of opinion was, that they are prejudicial in every point of view to those who are subjected to their influence, both as individuals and as members of society; and that their abolition would be productive of benefit to Literary Institutions, by bringing them a great influx of members.

Dress Makers and Milliners.-An Association for the aid and protection of this class of oppressed females has been ley, and a committee of management apformed under the auspices of Lord Ashpointed, consisting of ladies, whose names rank amongst the highest and noblest in

the land.

duce the principals of dress-making and The objects are:-1st, To inmillinery establishments, to limit the hours of actual work to twelve per diem; 2nd, to abolish all cases of working on Sundays; 3rd, To afford to such young persons as may require it, early and effective medical advice, change of air, and other assistance, in case of sickness; 4th, To form, in connexion with the Association, a Provident Society; 5th, To promote an improved system of ventilation, by diffusing correct information upon this most important subject, and by affording, when required by the principals, advice and pecuniary assistance towards the attainment of this object; 6th, To aid in obviating the serious evils connected with the present system, by inducing ladies to comply with what are leading principles of the association, viz. : the allowance of reasonable time for the execution of orders, and the encouragement of those establishments which zealously co-operate in carrying out the objects of the Association.

The Needle-women.-This is a numerous and unhappy class of persons, subjected to excessive toil, insufficient wages, and all the disease, immorality, and suffering, incident thereto. Unable, from their sex and position, to make their condition known, and being friendless and povertystricken, they have suffered, unregarded by their more favoured fellow-creatures. They, poor, unfortunate creatures! pine in secret, languish in the back-attic, plying the weary needle to complete a shirt for a starving remuneration, until it drops from their emaciated fingers, and they finally sink into the grave, where their troubles end, and they are forgotten. But the great movement which has lately agitated the country, has caused them to be noticed. The horrors of their condition have been laid before the public gaze, and the details are such as are calculated to harrow up the feelings of the least sensitive breast. To alleviate their miseries an Association has been formed; and within the last month the first Annual Meeting was held in Willis's Rooms, at which Lord Ashley presided. Since its formation, the Committee have been actively engaged in finding out and relieving objects of distress. During the twelvemonth, 975 day-workers have been recommended at wages of not less than nine shillings per week. A great number have been regularly employed by the Association at the same rate of wages: many of whom had formerly been employed in making shirts at prices varying from twopence half-penny to one shilling each. After defraying all expenses, a balance remained in hand of £400.

Young Men's Christian Association.— We have just received the First Report of this admirable Association.

It may

be considered as one of the first fruits of the Metropolitan Drapers' Association, and promises to be eminently useful in spreading the blessings of religion amongst that hitherto-neglected class of young men, the Drapers' Assistants. It owes its origin to the suggestion of Mr. W. D. Owen, of Great Coram-street, and has for its object "the improvement of the spiritual condition of young men engaged in the Drapery and other trades, by the introduction of religious services among them." This Report was read at a meeting of the members and friends, in Radley's' Hotel, November 8th, 1844, at which about two hundred young men were present. This Association

was

formed in June, 1844; and already much good has been effected. There are about seventy enrolled members. Religious services have been established in sixteen houses, into ten of which they were introduced through the instrumentality of this Association. At a special meeting of the Committee, held November 14th, it was resolved to employ a missionary to visit the different parts of the metropolis, and endeavour to form district associations -to visit the different houses in the trade -to recommend the establishment of religious services-to visit young men in illness, and to attend generally to the spiritual wants of this numerous class. To enable the Committee to carry out their benevolent intentions, an appeal is made for subscriptions, which are essentially necessary, and will be received by the Secretaries, Messrs. Symons and Creese, 72, St. Paul's Church-yard.

The Linen Drapers', Silk Mercers", Lacemen's, Haberdashers', and Hosiers' Institu tion.-Although the pressure of matter is so great that we are obliged to postpone several articles intended for insertion, yet we cannot refrain from noticing briefly the claims which this benevolent institution has on our young men of business. Founded for their benefit, and with so good and so benevolent a design, it commends itself to every assistant, and, as far as our influence extends, we would desire to see every eligible member of our Association become a member of it. The Annual Meeting of the General Court takes place on Thursday, 20th February, when we hope to hear a favourable report of the past year's proceedings. The Annual Dinner is fixed for Tuesday, 25th February.

We shall take an early opportunity of dwelling at large on the merits and claims

of this noble institution.

PROVINCIAL.

Beverley. The principal tradesmen of this town have agreed to suspend business at seven o'clock in winter and eight o'clock in summer.

Birmingham.-The Booksellers and Stationers have consented to close their shops at half-past seven o'clock throughout the year. The Drapers and other tradesmen have also considerably shortened the duration of business-hours.

Bristol.-Great interest was excited in this city during the summer, by a Meeting, called by the Drapers' Association, in the