MUSIC, WRITTEN FOR THE YOUNG LADY'S FRIEND BY LOWELL MASON.

MR. EDITOR: - As I stood by the dying bed of a beloved sister, she signified that she had something to say to me. I put my face to hers, upon which she impressed a kiss on my cheek, and said, in a soft whisper, "I love thee, brother!" This short sentence has sug gested to my mind the following lines.

"I LOVE THEE."

"I love thee "-'twas affection's breath;
The seala dying sister's kiss;
She spoke then closed her eyes in death;
Who can forget a seal like this?

"I love thee"-how those accents fell
Upon my anxious, listening ear:
My lips to absent friends shall tell
This parting pledge of love sincere.

"I love thee, brother!" sh: that word!
It touched the tender chords within:
It was the last I ever heard,
Those lips will never speak again.
"I love thee, brother." While I live.
This sentence to my heart I'll bind;
Not all the treasures earth could give,
Are half as precious to my mind.

PRINTED BY WILLIAM SCHOULER, (SUCCESSOR TO L. HUNTRESS,) LOWELL, MS.

The rapid growth of our city, its extensive manufactories, the enterprising character of its population, and its vast resources for still farther enlargement, have rendered it an object of interest and wonder not only throughout our own country, but in foreign lands. We hope the following sketch will serve in some measure to gratify the laudable curiosity of those who have been interested in the doings of this busy city.*

was set off from Chelmsford proper, and incorporated as a town with the name of Lowell. Belvidere, which was originally a part of Tewksbury, was annexed to Lowell in 1833 or 4. This proceeding caused a great deal of acrimonious discussion, but at length was fully determined upon by a decisive majority. In 1836, at which time the population amounted to nearly eighteen thousand, a city charter was obtained from the Legislature, and Elisha Bartlett, M. D., was chosen the first mayor.

Lowell formerly constituted a part of Chelmsford, a town somewhat famous in the early annals of Middlesex county.The original company, and that which The first purchases for manufacturing pur-may, in some sense, be regarded as the paposes were made about the year 1820, when there could not have been more than thirty or forty dwelling houses within the present limits of the city. The first regular census was taken, we believe, in 1828, by which it appeared that the population was three thousand, five hundred and thirty-mined by the quantity of water used.two. The present number of inhabitants cannot be less than twenty-two thousand, and probably is somewhat greater.

In 1826, on the petition of the people, East Chelmsford, as it was then called,

For many of the facts in this article we are

rent of all the others, is called 'The Proprietors of the Locks and Canals on Merrimack river,' and was formed in 1792,It owns all the water-power in the city, and disposes of it to the several corpora•. tions for an annual rent, which is deter

There are ten of these corporations, whose aggregate capital amounts to ten millions of dollars. All but two of them are en

gaged in the manufacture of cotton cloth. The Middlesex company manufactures broadcloths and cassimeres, which are not

indebted to A Sketch of Lowell,' prepared for surpassed by any foreign goods of the kind, the Courier by E. Case, Esq. and the Lowell company produces carpet

lieved that the Dispensary contributes materially to the health and comfort of those who are in straitened circumstances. The Howard Benevolent Society was formed two or three years ago, and has already accomplished much good. People of all parties and sects contribute to its funds, which are expended by able and efficient officers in relieving the wants of the vir tuous poor.

Besides the extensive corporations enumerated above, there are several smaller establishments. The Powder Mills, belonging to O. M. Whipple, produce a great amount of excellent powder. The Lowell Beside these institutions, Bleachery and the Whitney Mills, for the there are benevolent societies connected manufacture of blankets, contribute their with all the churches, whose design is, to share to the business and activity of the city. assist those belonging to their respective About one million, two hundred and congregations, who are not properly obsixty-five thousand, five hundred and sixty jects of public charity. A considerable yards of cotton cloth, one thousand, eight || portion of their funds is laid out in procurhundred yards of broadcloth, six thousanding clothing for the children of the poor, yards of cassimere, and two thousand, five that they may attend church and the Sunhundred yards of carpeting are manufac-day school. Those who have been brought tured weekly. Nearly two hundred and seventy thousand yards of cotton goods are dyed and printed weekly. The time spent by the operatives in the mills is about twelve hours a day, and the average amount of wages received by the females does not probably exceed a dollar and seventy-five cents per week, exclusive of board.

to poverty by their vices and are not considered objects of private benevolence, receive assistance from the authorities of the city. The amount appropriated for the support of paupers in 1841, was five thousand dollars.

But for nothing does Lowell deserve more credit, than for her public schools.With a wise and prudent foresight, she early directed her attention to these nurse

But we did not design to enter into minute details concerning the business of the city. Our object was, rather, to notice theries of virtue and intelligence, and with a moral, literary and religious character of its citizens, and this we can best do by glancing at its benevolent institutions, its schools, and its churches.

Perhaps nothing has contributed more to promote the industry and frugality of the operatives, than the Institution for Savings. Here the smallest sum of money, which is not wanted for immediate use, may be safely invested and left to accumulate until it is needed for other purposes. It is stated, that of the three hundred and eighty-six thousand dollars deposited in that institution, two hundred and fifty thousand belong to operatives in the mills, the greater part of them being females.

The Lowell Dispensary is an institution which furnishes medical advice and medieine gratuitously, to all who require and are worthy of such assistance. The amount of funds expended is not large, but it is be

liberal hand has she expended her money in providing every convenience for the instruction of the rising generation. In 1827, twelve hundred dollars was appropriated for the support of free schools. From that time, the appropriation was annually increased, until it has reached the very large sum of twenty-two thousand, two hundred dollars, which was the appropriation for 1841.

The schools are divided into three classes. Those of the lowest grade are called Primary schools, and are twenty-four in number, located in different parts of the city so as to accommodate all the inhab itants. Each of these schools is taught by a female, and the number of scholars varies from thirty to sixty. Here the children are instructed in the first rudiments of education, and at the close of each term such as are qualified are transferred to the Gram