meteorological knowledge was the most perfect ever yet attained; and his New System of Chemical Philosophy will survive many a rolling year, as a memorial of his vast research and deep powers of thought and combination. And why should not Sir Robert Peel, the father of the present statesman, though not born in Manchester, yet be connected with it? It would be unjust to deprive the town of that honour. He was one of the most active, intelligent, and successful of the merchants who frequented her markets; and, when a banker in that place, added to his former reputation by his honourable and consistent conduct. Few men have contributed more than the father of the present Sir Robert Peel to the commercial prosperity of Manchester. Good Mrs Fletcher, whose Lays of Leisure Hours have enabled us all, in our turn, to pass a leisure hour most pleasantly; and Henry Liverseege, the painter; and Charles Swain, the poet, of whom, and of whose writings, Southey has said, "Swain's poetry is made of the right materials: if ever man were born to be a poet, he was; and if Manchester is not proud of him yet, the time will certainly come when it will be so,"-were all natives of that place. And, finally, Ainsworth, the author of Winter Tales, Sir John Chiverton, Rookwood, and Crichton; and De Quincey, whose Confessions of an English Opium-Eater are part and parcel of the literature of the country.

With such a phalanx of recommendations and associations, it would indeed be extraordinary if I had nothing worthy of recording of this northern capital, but its faults or its follies. Its early dinners, its four meals per diem, and its commercial hooks, are there only the spots in the sun; and I am much mistaken, if, before I terminate my week's journal, it will not be understood and felt, that really many more than seven days may be passed most agreeably in this manufacturing metropolis of the north.

Good Mr Wheeler has written a most capital book, entitled, Manchester; its political, social, and commercial history, ancient and modern. He begins at the beginning, and goes on to the end, conducting his delighted readers from the time of the aborigines, when Manchester "was ori

ginally a dense forest, the domain of birds and beasts," to the period when, in May 1836, there were employed in the cotton-mills of Manchester, 24,447 males, and 29,210 females. As, however, his book can be purchased of my friends Love and Barton, in Market Street, for the small sum of twelve shillings, I shall not do him the injustice to cite page after page from its admirable contents, but intreat all lovers of topographical history to procure, without delay, this most valuable addition to any library; besides which, after the following appeal to the critics, which we extract verbatim from his Introduction, we should really be incurring a fearful responsibility were we to utter a single word but in its favour:-" 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 cater va of crities, their dreadful hatchets may be veiled, as of old, in the peace-proclaiming fasces, and his work be spared from actual annihilation."

But, who is this, with smiling face and benignant mien, approaching us, in front of the Infirmary-a true specimen of an English gentleman, who has made his fortune in Manchester-" owes all he has of respect and happiness, wealth and rank, to Manchester;" and who is "resolved, by the blessing of God, to do all he can to promote its welfare and improvement?" This is THOMAS TOWNEND, of the Polygon, the treasurer of the godlike institution, before which we are placed, and the liberal supporter of every society which has for its object either the moral or physical amelioration of the population of his native town. Possessed of an immense fortune, a well-improved mind, a noble and generous heart, of easy and gentlemanly manners, and of true Protestant Conservative principles, Thomas Townend is just the sort of man who should be returned to Parliament, if his modesty did not make him shrink from so conspicuous a position, and cause him to tremble lest he should not perform, to his own satisfaction, the important duties of a British legislator. But such a man as

Thomas Townend is of the sort, the class of men, whom we should wish to see elected in our manufacturing districts, taking with them all the weight and influence which wealth, intelligence, enlightened patriotism, and moral character must confer. His daughter, the image of his mind, is worthy of such a father; and we pass ed many happy hours in their elevated and agreeable society.

Let us into the Infirmary. It is situated in Piccadilly, in the heart of Manchester. In the course of the year, about 20,000 patients profit from its establishment, and from the Dispensary which is connected with it. But whom have we here? It is Wilson, one of the surgeons of the establishment. He invites us to accompany him round the wards, to see the cases under his management-and it is too good an occasion for a careful examination of this admirable institution, not to avail ourselves of his offer. Wilson is a fine-hearted, noble, generous creature, an excellent surgeon, a perfect anatomist, with a steady hand, piercing eye, gentle heart, but manly and vigorous mind. He is most assiduous in his attentions to the poor creatures who come under his inspection; and they received his visits with evident gratitude and affection. What a deplorable complication of calamities did we witness, principally the result of accidents at the various mills and manufactories in the town! Notwithstanding all the perfection of the machinery in Manchester, the mere coming in contact with so many wheels, perpetually in motion, and with such large and weighty bodies and the constant working of steamengines, with all their dependencies, must entail many physical evils, and bring about many a case of cruel suffering and loss of limb. So we saw feet torn off from legs, and arms severed from bodies, and hands literally crushed, and heads laid open to the brain. But all was cleanliness, order, attention, neatness, and with the solitary exception of a poor fellow, with an approaching lock-jaw, all appeared to be progressive. The large "salles" in which the patients are placed, are light, airy, and well lighted. The walls are cleanly, the bedsteads are iron, the temperature of the rooms is well maintained; there is a perfect freedom from unpleasant odours; and

the students appeared to be quiet and delicate in their attention to their patients. The food of the Infirmary was good-the bread of a most excellent character-the beer very palateable; and we learnt with pleasure, that patients in a state of convalescence are allowed to choose their own viands, be they ever so expensive. There, however, as every where else in England, baths form too little of the regular and accustomed régime of the sick. In France, the baths are every moment at hand, in which to place the sufferers, and they are used as well to promote cleanliness, as to diminish pain, and subdue disease. In Manchester, the bath is a state affair; and the patient has to be carried into an adjoining room, and across a stone gallery, to the bath-room. We thought, also, that the fact of the wards being on the first and second floors, was rather a drawback-and we prefer, as much as possible, that patients shall be on the ground, or first floors. On the whole, however, we were gratified with our visit to the Infirmary; and, above all, to learn that the most assiduous and proselyting visits of the Papist priests to the poor patients, and that at late hours of the night, were to be in future discontinued, and spiritual advice and consolation administered by an established and permanent chaplain. Not, indeed, that any Papist is to be debarred the visits of his priest, if he desire it; but, on the other hand, that poor Protestants are not to be assailed and disturbed in their hours of weakness, sorrow, and suffering, by these ministers of a religion to which they did not adhere in their days of health and of gladness, and who avail themselves of the then state of the sufferers, to obtain from them their assent to a faith which, inadvertently, they may then adopt. Let the real bona fide Papist be allowed to receive the visits of his priest: but let his visits be to the bona fide Papist only, and not to the Protestant poor in the Infirmary.

Besides his attention to the sufferers at the hospital, Wilson has a large and highly respectable practice in the town, where he appears to be honoured with the esteem and confidence of the wealthy and the wise. To Manchester belongs the honour of having established the first provincial school of medicine and surgery, and the example thus set, has been followed by

In

Birmingham, Sheffield, Bristol, Hull, Nottingham, and other towns. the Infirmary, in one year, 4058 cases of accidents were admitted-and 135 capital operations performed in it. The fever ward contains 100 beds, and the Lying-in Hospital, Lunatic Asylum, Charlton-on-Medlock Lying-in Charity, Eye Institution, Lock Hospital, and the six dispensaries, also offer the most abundant supplies, both of medical and surgical information. The medical schools in Manchester are now in a flourishing and satisfactory state-and the day cannot be far distant, when the restriction placed upon the pupils'attendance on the surgical prac tice at the Royal Infirmary, by the Council of the College of Surgeons in London,-inasmuch, as this large institution does not enjoy equal privileges respecting certificates of attendance on the surgical practice, with some of the hospitals in London, containing scarcely fifty beds,-will no longer be necessary, and must, therefore, be done away. There was a time, and that not remote, when the question of provincial medical schools was at best a doubtful one, and when there was reason to apprehend that the courses of public instruction pursued in the metropolis, would be superseded or interfered with by these local establishments. But experience has shown that these apprehensions were ill founded; and it is now demonstrated, that the general interest of the profession has been promoted by the spirit of emulation, and increased activity and zeal, excited amongst the metropolitan lecturers, by the generous rivalry of provincial teachers.

The institutions of Manchester partake of the character of the people, and the nature of their occupations and pleasures. This is always the case; and the character of a city or town may be tested by its public buildings. In Paris, you behold the churches of former days, and the theatres of present times. In London, there are shipping, bridges, banks, customhouses, and every thing denoting the existence of a vast commercial people. In Manchester, there are factories, schools, churches, chapels, hospitals, the Royal Institution, the Natural History Society, the Mechanics' Institution, the Exchange Room, the Chamber of Commerce, but two theatres, a savings bank, medical schools, Hu

mane Society, Provident Society, Deaf and Dumb Institution, and the Jubilee, or Ladies' Female Charity School. It was a jubilee to us, to witness so much of moral and physical good being communicated to so many thousands of our fellow-creatures by these public establishments.

The CHURCH OF ENGLAND SUNDAY SCHOOL in Burnet Street, Manchester, is worth travelling from Constantinople and back again in the dead of the winter, merely to see for a few hours. Imagine a large buildingan immense building, of five stories high, well lighted, well warmed, clean, healthy, and ventilated, filled on a Sunday with six separate schools of 500 each, all trained up in the doctrine and discipline of our blessed and glorious Church of England. Imagine 500 of these children (bless their pretty tongues!) all singing at the tiptop of their voices the delicious hymn of Heber, the mere perusal of which causes the heart to gladden and revive!

"From Greenland's icy mountains,

From India's coral strands,
Where Afric's sunny fountains

Roll down their golden sands;
From many an ancient river,

From many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver

Their land from error's chain." And then imagine six of these schools, all forming part of one great school of 3000 children, all singing one after the other this appeal to British benevolence and to British piety! I know of nothing in the wide world so lovely as children, and nothing so harmonious as children's voices-and I would rather have a game of play with a child than talk politics or literature, science or poetry, with the wisest man on earth-and would rather listen to the music of these 3000 children singing on a Sunday the praises of their God, than to any music or melody out of heaven. Upon my word I would. Our companion in this visit was a man of whom all Manchester has a kind word to say, Mr William Townend of High Street. He is the brother of Thomas Townend, of the Polygon, of whom we have already spoken. How the dear children's eyes brightened up, as they saw this excellent man enter their respective school-rooms! They appeared to feel towards him as

to a father. It was really delightful to witness so much gratitude and love. The schools are held during the greatest portion of the day on Sunday, and sermons are prached, prayers read, and instruction given in these various rooms. The system of teaching is partly that of Doctor Bell. The teachers are numerous and attentive, and appear to take a deep interest in their work. The scholars are so admirably classed, and so efficiently directed, that we never saw in any scholastic establishment such perfect order and discipline.

I have observed, during the last few years, with deep regret, the increased attention which is paid by the members of the Church of England, to that portion of the services of the church, which is peculiarly human in its character-I mean the services of the clergy; and how much less attention is paid to the Liturgy, prayers, and praises of public worship. This is an importation from the dissenting school. In most dissenting chapels, where the service lasts from one hour and forty minutes to two hours, not more than ten minutes are devoted to the reading the word of God, not more than a quarter of an hour to prayer; and, with the exception of two short hymns, or selections from them, the rest of the time is occupied by the sermon. This lamentable inattention to the most important parts of divine worship is gaining ground in the Church of England; not, indeed, that its sublime prayers are not read, but the responses are too often left to the parish-clerk alone to make, and the prayers are "got over" with too great precipitation. Hence, also, arises the fact, that many Episcopalians now reach church when the prayers are half over, and sometimes during the communion service, “just in time for the sermon"-as though to praise God, to pray to Him, to confess our belief in Him, and to hear His most holy revelation read to the great congregation, were inconsiderable portions of public worship. At some churches in Manchester, I observed that this most deplorably bad habit of attending late at divine service was gaining ground. But there, as elsewhere, this was often the fault of the incumbent or his substitute. Where the prayers are well read, loudly, distinctly, with due emphasis, and evi

dent conviction of their importance, the congregation is sure to do its duty, and to be regular and early in attendance. I was much pleased, more than I can tell, with the reading of prayers at St. George's, Hulme, by the incumbent, the Rev. Mr Lingard, who, though inclined to Pusseyism in his opinions, is a zealous and faithful, active and able clergyman. Mr Lingard has lately taken for his curate the Rev. Charles Baldwin, one of the sons of Mr Baldwin, the proprietor of the Standard, and the Conservative candidate for the borough of Lambeth. I had the satisfaction of hearing Mr Baldwin preach an admirable and effective sermon, on the necessity of leaving to the authorized, duly edu cated, and Episcopally ordained clergy, the task of explaining to the people the word of God. Hook's Sermon before the Queen, had made a profound impression in Manchester. That impression had extended to Mr Lingard and Mr Baldwin, and they felt the necessity of rendering more pre-eminent than ever the fact, that there is such a thing as schism, and that schism is not a failing, but a sin. Mr Baldwin bids fair to become a bold, manly, and enlightened defender of the Church of England, himself a living proof of the influence it exercises on the character and usefulness of its ministers. Mr Lingard is a man of considerable acquirements, and of agreeable and social talents, and whose pastoral exertions are not unknown to, or unappreciated by the Pastoral Aid Society.

There are few places in the world where so much money is given as at Manchester, and, therefore, charity sermons, or public meetings for charities, are almost daily. I was present at one of these meetings, in the Corn Exchange. It was presided over by the Rev. Hugh Stowell. The object was a Protestant Irish charity, and the delegates were Irish clergymen. Acting on their new tactics, the Papists sent to the meeting one of their agents, who insisted on the right of speaking, and who created a scene of such noise and confusion, that the religious festival resembled a beargarden riot. Although, on most occasions, public meetings, held to discuss Romanist doctrines, I deplore, rather than applaud, yet there are moments when such assemblies are desirable, and there are events which

fully justify them. But this was a meeting of a different character, and Mr Stowell was quite right in refusing, as chairman, "to submit to the dictation of Papist emissaries." This was a Protestant meeting, convoked to support a Protestant object; and as those only were invited who were favourable to the measure, the Papists, if they attended, owed it to the rules of order, peace, and good breeding, to be quiet. When Protestants do all attend at Papist meetings and interrupt their deliberations, the Romanists will have the right of retaliation; but until such a deplorable line of conduct shall be adopted by them (and which I hope never will be the case), the presidents of public meetings will do well to imitate the bold and manly conduct of Mr Stowell, and refuse to allow Papist advocates to interrupt the harmony of Protestant associations.

Although, however, there are few places in the world where "the art of giving" is so well understood as at Manchester, there are a vast many persons who resort to the old estab lished custom of inventing excuses for their avarice or meanness. The grand arcanum of their art is to get out of all giving, by setting one charitable institution in competition with another: so that when their subscription is asked to forward the one, they descant warmly in behalf of the other. Thus, suppose their assistance is required to form a fund to relieve married women at their own houses during their lyingin; this being a particular and limited object, the Manchester non-giver will declare himself in some such terms as the following, in favour of the general one:-" Do you all you can, sir, with your lying-in-at-home-plan, you can but make them comfortable by halves; for you never can render their accommodations at home such as persons in their situation require: a general hospital would answer the purpose so much better, that I wonder the committee did not think of that. No, sir, you must excuse me, I never support half measures."

But, suppose, on the other hand this plan to have been the one adopted, and that the application is in favour of a lying-in hospital: against these institutions the non-giver will inveigh as encouraging vice by indiscriminate admission; or, if indiscriminate ad

mission be not allowed, against the cruelty of excluding any female in such a situation; adding, " that he is surprised such and such things did not occur to the committee."

The friends of the Bible Society are numerous and active; should one of them apply to these sytematic nongivers, he has always "the Bartlett's Buildings Society" to call to his aid; or, in Ireland the association for discountenancing vice, &c.; and he will declare, with a broad and saucy face, "that he cannot conceive how the common people are to derive any advantage from reading the Prophecies of Ezekiel, or the Epistles of St Paul; that he sees no advantage likely to result from distributing Bibles among an uneducated peasantry, and that he wishes the attention of the nation were turned to a system of general education.”

Where any society proposes to merge every petty difference, and to unite all parties in furthering some benevolent object, the non-giver will refuse his subscription, by alleging, "For my part, I don't pretend to that false liberality which professes to know no distinction among the poor or the unhappy; and I think all religions ought to take care of their own poor." Should any society deem it expedient to adopt a different line of conduct, and to limit its constitution and its operations to one particular religious denomination, and on this principle apply to the non-giver for support; his answer at Manchester is, "I cannot support this society, sir, for it has fallen into the hands of a party. I abhor the idea of making any distinction among the objects of charity."

When applied to, to support a missionary society, they answer, "What can a black fellow know about religion? How can you make a Greenlander understand Christianity? Lay a substratum of civilisation, and begin by teaching them to take care of their bodies, before you say any thing of their souls." To enable these nongivers to act on this principle to the fullest extent, they inform themselves of the fundamental regulations of each society, and then, in order to get rid of some importunate and pressing applicant, they ask, with an apparently most candid and innocent air, why some rule (which would have been directly