nimously adopted expressive of approval of the past measures of the Committee of the Association, of confidence in their future proceedings, and pledging the Meeting to active co-operation with them.

Meetings of a similar character have also been held in Lambeth, Edgwareroad, Tottenham-court-road, Shoreditch, and Islington; and the following aggregate Public Meetings have taken place in the course of the month.

A General Meeting of the great body of Assistants throughout the metropolis was held on Monday, April 14th, at the spacious Committee Rooms of the Association, 355 Strand. It was called for the purpose of infusing fresh vigour into all interested in the cause, and, although not so well attended as it ought to have been, it has been productive already of the most beneficial results.

The Chairman of the Association presided on the occasion; and several able addresses were delivered to the Meeting, especially one by Mr. Hill, an employer, one of those benevolent, well-principled men who deem it a duty to regard the welfare of the employed.

The following resolution was then unanimously adopted,

"That this Meeting, being fully convinced of the evils arising from the latehour system, and being deeply interested in their removal, is of opinion that no measures hitherto proposed are more calculated to obtain speedily and permanently that object than those adopted by the Metropolitan Drapers' Association, resolves from this time individually to use all its influence and ability to further the cause of the Association by subscribing freely to its funds, by strenuous and persevering cooperation, and by endeavouring to arouse to active exertion those Assistants who have hitherto stood aloof, and who appear to be unmindful of the many and great advantages that must follow the successful efforts of the Metropolitan Drapers' Association.

A Public Meeting of the Association was held on Friday evening, April 18th, in the National School-room, Marlboroughroad, Chelsea, for the purpose of appealing to the inhabitants of that neighbourhood for assistance in the object the Association has in view, viz., the earlier closing of shops. The Rev. Richard Burgess, B.D., rector of the parish, took the chair, supported by the most influential clergy of the District, and other gentlemen favourable to the cause.

Mr. Owen, Mr. Peters of Sloane-square, and other eminent employers were also present.

The Rev. Chairman opened the business of the meeting with an address of much eloquence and feeling, explaining the

He

objects of the Association, which he characterised as a branch of that great movement for the amelioration of the condition of the industrious classes of this country, which is now exciting so much attention among humane and reflecting men. dwelt in terms of commendation upon the mild and conciliatory manner in which the members of this Association sought to carry out their views, and spoke earnestly of the necessity, and the duty of co-operation on the part of a Christian public in the laudable efforts of these young men to procure themselves more time for mental, moral, and religious improvement. In the course of his speech, he stated that he should be happy to afford them all the assistance in his power, and would gladly devote a portion of his time to giving lectures upon interesting and instructive subjects during the winter evenings, which might be one mode of spending the additional hours of leisure they were struggling for-(loud cheers.) Bodily health, however, he considered to be as essential as health of mind, and in summer time he should like to see them recreating themselves in the greenfields, and inhaling the pure invigorating breath of heaven, rather than passing from the heated shop to the crowded and equally heated lecture-room.

The Rev. J. C. Miller moved the first resolution, which was as follows,

"That this Meeting is of opinion that the present custom of keeping shops open in the evening until a late hour, is fraught with the worst results to the health and morals, and wholly at variance with the mental discipline of those employed therein; and that by affording them little or no opportunity for social intercourse, or other recreation during the days of business, it is calculated to lead, in numerous instances, to an utter neglect of the sacred duties of the Sabbath; and this Meeting desires, moreover, to express its deep sympathy with the young persons so situated."

In the course of an impressive speech, the reverend gentleman observed, that he so entirely approved of the objects the Metropolitan Drapers' Association had in view, and felt it so incumbent upon him to further them by every means in his power, that if the Association thought proper to hold another Meeting in that neighbourhood, he should be happy to allow them the use of the school-room attached to his chapel, and would willingly preside on the occasion, or take any part in the proceedings the Committee might desire, for he considered the question to be intimately connected with the religious welfare of the community.

The resolution was seconded by Leggett, Esq., who dwelt with much ability upon the scientific and medical details of the subject, showing the fatal effects upon

the human frame of over-toil and bad ventilation, and was unanimously adopted.

The Rev. William Niven moved the second resolution, which was to this effect,

"That this Meeting desires to express its high approval of the measures hitherto adopted by the Metropolitan Drapers' Association, and its conviction that it is the duty of all persons, especially those professing the Christian religion, to co-operate for the attainment of the object of the Association."

The reverend speaker made a forcible appeal to the Meeting to support the Association upon Scriptural grounds, in the course of which he said, that at first he had some doubts, notwithstanding his approval of the objects of the Association, whether as a Christian minister he had not sufficient to occupy his attention in matters of, as he imagined, a more strictly religious character, but upon examination he found that this question of earlier hours bore so strongly upon the moral and religious interests of those concerned, that he unhesitatingly came forward at once upon religious grounds to support it.

The resolution was seconded by the Rev. J. Patteson, in a short but effective speech, and unanimously adopted.

Cooke Evans, Esq. moved, and the Rev. W. H. Howard seconded the third resolution, which was also carried unanimously, and was as follows:

"It appearing very evident that if persons would abstain from visiting shops in the evening, the chief, and indeed the only inducement to keep them open until a late hour would be removed, those composing this Meeting now pledge themselves that henceforward they will purchase no article unnecessarily after six o'clock in the evening, and that they will do all in their power to prevail upon others to act upon the same determination."

A vote of thanks to the Chairman, for his able conduct in the chair, was then moved by Mr. Lilwall and seconded by Mr. Rennie, which was carried by acclamation.

The reverend gentleman briefly acknowledged the compliment, and the Meeting, which was numerously and respectably attended, separated.

A Public Meeting of the Assistants of all Trades was held on Thursday evening, April 24th, in Mr. Lawson's Large Room, Gower-street North. W. D. Owen, Esq., of Great Coram-street, was in the chair, supported by a deputation from the Central Committee. Several excellent speeches were delivered; and resolutions were unanimously agreed to denouncing the evils of the latehour system, expressing concurrence in the measures hitherto adopted by the Committee, and pledging the Meeting individually

to aid, by every means in their power, to promote the grand object for which they were assembled. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was then carried by acclamation, and the Meeting separated.

PROVINCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

BRIGHTON. One of the most imposing Public Meetings ever held in Brighton took place in the Town-hall on Friday evening, March 28th," to consider the evils arising from the present protracted hours of labour, and the benefit which would attend their abridgment." The Large Room of the Hall was crowded to overflowing by a most respectable audience, a large portion of whom were ladies. The chair was occupied by Sir Thomas Blomefield, Bart.; and on the platform were the principal clergy of the town, and the most influential employers. A deputation from London was also present, consisting of W. D. Owen, Esq., of Great Coram-street, and Mr. Nash, the Secretary of the Metropolitan Association. Speeches were delivered by the Revs. J. S. M. Anderson, Joseph Sortain, James Vaughan, R. E. Wilmot, and Messrs. Owen and Nash; and resolutions were unanimously adopted denouncing the evils of the latehour system, cordially approving of the measures adopted by the Brighton Association, and pledging the Meeting to promote the object in view, and hoping that the propositions of the Committee of the Drapers' Association being in the opinion of the Meeting reasonable, they will meet with the cordial assent of the several employers, and that they will accord to them their support in the establishment of an Association having for its object the moral and intellectual improvement of their Assistants.

Mr. Holthan then proposed, and Mr. C. S. Hannington seconded, a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was enthusiastically carried, and the Meeting broke up.

The effect of this important demonstration was soon apparent. The principal employers in the town met on the following evening in the same place, Mr. Holthan in the chair; and resolutions were adopted, the result of which may be gathered from the following advertisement which appeared shortly afterwards in the Brighton Guardian:

"Early Closing of Shops.-The inhabitants and visitors of Brighton are respectfully requested to take notice, that, in deference to the resolutions passed by the very large and respectable Public Meeting held at the Town-hall on Friday, the 28th March, and in accordance with the wishes of the Assistants, the establishments connected with the drapery and hosiery trades, &c., will for the future, by unanimous consent, be closed at the following hours:--December, January, February, seven o'clock, P. M.; March, April, September, October,

November, eight o'clock, P. M.; May, June, July, August, nine o'clock, P. M.

In addition to this concession, Messrs. Hannington, in a spirit of noble liberality, have presented the Association with the splendid donation of £100. towards the establishment of an institution. Such conduct deserves the gratitude of all, and must secure it.

LIVERPOOL. This town is keeping up its reputation for energy in the movement. On Thursday evening, March 27th, a Meeting was held in the Music-hall, Boldstreet, in furtherance of the closing of shops at seven o'clock throughout the year. The principle of early closing having been pretty well carried out, and generally acknowledged, during the winter months, the object of this Meeting was to prevent any relapse during the approaching summer, and to influence the public not to countenance the shops which did not close early, by being customers after seven o'clock in the evening. The room was well filled in every part; and a number of ladies expressed their sympathy with the persecuted shopmen by their presence. Mr. Sands, the late Mayor, was announced in the handbills as having consented to preside; but he was unfortunately compelled to be absent by sudden and unexpected business in London. Thomas Blackburn, Esq., was therefore unanimously called to the chair in his stead.

1. "That this Meeting, adhering to the principle recognised by the inhabitants of Liverpool for promoting the closing of shops at seven o'clock every evening throughout the year, records its satisfaction at the more general observance of that principle during the past winter, conveys its thanks to those Tradesmen by whom it has been carried into practical effect, and earnestly requests the continuance of the practice on their part, and its immediate adoption by the rest of the Shopkeepers."

2d. "That this Meeting, under a deep sense of the importance attaching to a strong demonstration of public opinion, renews the appeal to the benevolent and the religious on behalf of a measure so wise and just as the termination of the hours of retail business at seven o'clock in the evening; and entreats their co-operation in endeavouring to secure its universal and permanent practice, by a conscientious abstinence from purchases (except in cases of emergency) after that hour."

3rd. "That the Committee already ap

pointed do continue their operations in promotion of the object, and report at such times and in such a manner as may be deemed advisable."

We have also learned that 10,000 individuals in this town, many of them heads of families, have signed a declaration that they will not enter a shop after seven o'clock in the evening. One hundred tradesmen have also pledged themselves to close their shops at the same hour. This is a worthy example for other towns to follow.

BIRMINGHAM.-A similar important manifestation of public feeling has also taken place in this town since we last addressed our readers. It was held on Tuesday, April 15th, in the Town-hall, every part of it being crowded by a highly respectable audience. James Bourn, Esq., the High Bailiff, was in the Chair; and in the organ gallery were the Rev. J. Garbett, Rural Dean, the Honorable and Rev. G. Yorke, the Rev. Prince Lee, the Rev. J. A. James, and other eminent clergymen and gentlemen favourable to the cause. Letters were read from Lord John Russell, M.P., Lord Ashley, M.P., Lord John Manners, M.P., G. F. Muntz, Esq., M.P., Douglas Jerrold, Esq., and others expressive of sympathy with the object of the Meeting. The same enthusiastic spirit prevailed amongst the large assembly as has characterised other Meetings held for the same purpose, and resolutions of similar import were unanimously adopted.

HULL. With reference to this town, we have received information that the following Memorial, with about 200 signatures attached, was presented to the Mayor, on Saturday, April 5th, by the Vicar and Alderman Atkinson.

"We the undersigned Assistants and Apprentices in the Drapery and other Trades in this town, most respectfully soliet your countenance and assistance in the formation of an uniform and certain hour of closing shops. We believe eight o'clock in the evening, during the six months commencing on the 1st April, and seven during the remainder of the year, to be sufficiently late for all the purposes of business; and while it would not entail any loss upon employers, it would afford us an opportunity for mental improvement and bodily recreation,-it would also greatly add to our happiness, usefulness, and respectability."

LEICESTER. We learn that the Drapers of this town have consented to meet the wishes of their Assistants by closing their shops at eight o'clock during the summer months, and their example has been fol lowed by most of the principal shopkeepers of the town.

Measures in a similar spirit we have also been glad to hear have been adopted in Oxford, Shrewsbury, and in Swindon in Wiltshire.