subversive of the principles of the society), was not adopted: and often add, that if such and such a regulation were passed (which they know never could be), they would at once subscribe. Thus, these men "would willingly subscribe to the British and Foreign Bible Society, if prayer-books were distributed as well as Bibles;" or to the Hibernian Bible Society, "if they would consent to circulate the Douay Testament;" or to Dr Bell's schools," if they would consent simply to make selections from the Holy Scriptures, instead of placing the whole Bible in the hands of infants."

In spite of all these non-givers, so numerous and so formidable in Man. chester, there are, it must be avowed, a powerful body of givers; many of them party ones, ostentatious ones, and reluctant ones; but take the mass together, very large, wealthy, and important givers. Of course, the Church of England stands, as usual, at the head of the list; next the Wesleyans; and then at an almost immeasurable distance, the Independents and other branches of Dissenters.

But, though Protestants and Protestantism occupied a large portion, it did not consume all my time at Manchester: and it is now time to turn to some of the public institutions and private circles of that wealthy and powerful place.

What a splendid collection of pictures there is to be seen in Market Street, the property of Mr William Townend. There is a Minerva, by Rubens, protecting the genius of Charity, Plenty, &c. from the rapine of war; a landscape by Aubel Comaci; the Virgin with the infant Saviour appearing to St Anthony, who is bending on his knees before them in adoration, by Vandyke; the Rich Man and Lazarus, by old Francks; a Glen, with Warriors reposing, by Salvator Rosa; and a Battle-piece, a representation of the Crusades, by the same master; Angels administering to the penitent Magdalen, by Guido; a Spanish larder, by Velasquez; an Italian sea-port, by Claude; a sketch by Gainsborough; a young Spanish lady reading in a book, by Morrello; a small head of Christ, by Carlo Dolci; a landscape, representing twilight, by Rembrandt; a Virgin and Child, by Raphael; and such an Ecce Homo, by Carlo Dolci, as I would travel from

Manchester to Land's-End barefoot and bareheaded in the burning days of July but to gaze on for a quarter of an hour. Then there are three saints by Raphael; the adoration, by Rembrandt; a Virgin and Child, by Sir Joshua Reynolds; a small fishingpiece, by Veruet; a portrait of an old Woman, by Rembrandt; a portrait of a Fiddler, by Ostade; a por-trait of a Lady, by Vandyke; a Ġentleman drinking, by Rubens; the Murder of the Innocents, by Poussin; and two Frescos, by Paul Veronese. Teniers' Dutch Boors at Bowls, is delicious; Guido's Angels administering to the penitent Magdalen, is perfect; and the Misers, by Quintin Matsys, is the ne plus ultra of life and genius-it is perfectly magical. These are, however, but a few of the beauties of this matchless collection. This gallery is to be sold. What a disgrace to the town of Manchester that it does not purchase it! The proprietor has had its value estimated by a jury of the most competent judges, and the price is L.19,000. It is worth double that sum, if it be worth a farthing. But take it at L.19,000, the official estimate, how lamentable and how disgraceful it is, that Manchester, with its millions of wealth, and of floating unemployed capital, should allow such a collection as this to be disposed of by a sort of lottery or raffle. Yet this is the case; and tickets of five pounds each to the number necessary to make up the L.19,000, are being privately placed by the proprietor. I call this a disgrace to such a town as Manchester, where the Wesleyan Methodists alone, in four days, raised L.28,000 towards their centenary fund. For my part, I fear that the French Civil List may run away with some of the most valuable of these pictures to adorn their gallery at Versailles, already so richly stored with every work of art. Why should not Manchester have its gallery as well as Versailles? It is not a want of taste, or of manly patriotism, that kept back the good men of Manchester from this, or from any other generous and noble act; but "business— business," absorbs all their time-and men who will dine at two o'clock cannot be expected to assemble together to form a truly national gallery of painting and sculpture. And, really, the Royal Manchester Institution, in

spite of all its unquestionable merits, is sadly in want of such a collection. This institution claims a rank, if not the first, at least the second place in the literary and scientific associations of the town. The "Manchester Institution, for the Promotion of Literature, Science, and the Arts," was founded in 1823, and one of its first objects was the establishment of a collection of the best models that can be obtained in painting and sculpture, the opening of a channel through which the works of meritorious artists may be brought before the public, and the encourage ment of literary and scientific pursuits by facilitating the delivery of popular courses of public lectures. The annual income of this society is, unhappily, too small to admit of its being as useful as otherwise it would be, for its receipts are only £480-and its expenditure, in chief rents, taxes, insurances, porters' wages, &c., &c., £450, leaving only an insignificant balance of £30, applicable to lectures, &c. The building, in Mosley Street, has absorb. ed about £23,000, and that which was originally designed to be expended in enriching the interior of the edifice with works of art, has been devoted to the exterior construction. How sad it is that a vast effort is not made in Manchester to raise a large permanent fund, the income of which shall be for ever appropriated to the gradual, but certain improvement of this important society.

The "Natural History Society of Manchester" is justly celebrated for its beautiful ornithological collection. The geological and mineralogical collections are less striking; and the foreign fish, foreign crustacea, and foreign shells, present but little of moment. The collection of quadrupeds is inconsiderable; that of South American fruits attracts much notice; but all are unimportant when compared to the collection of birds. Cuvier's classification is followed in the arrangement, though a great number of specimens will be found, not named by that great philosopher and naturalist. On the whole, this society is entitled to great praise, and cannot fail of being admired by all who visit it.

Of course, I visited the Exchange Room, the Portico, the Chamber of Commerce, the Manchester Subscription Library, and the Concert Hall, the latter of which is respectably supported by six hundred annnal subscrib.

VOL. XLV. NO. CCLXXXII,

ers of five pounds. Of the Savings' Bank and Mechanics' Institution I only know this-that they are both thriving.

But, above and before all things, Manchester is the town for business. All attempts to Radicalise it must therefore fail. The working classes are not on the whole democratic. Parson Stephens may preach Radicalism and levelling to a few hundred vagabonds-as Henry Hunt once did the same thing, on the now almost forgotten field of Peterloo. But take the people in mass in Manchester-they are essentially men of business. Every thing is subservient to their warehouses, their customers, and their correspondence. This is undoubtedly the great cause of their wealth and prosperity-and is one reason why they are pacific and loyal. Occasional ebullitions are but of little real importance. In a few weeks the traitor and the treason are forgotten-and the men return to the power-looms, or the selfacting mule, with all their wonted energy and accustomed delight. But then, as Manchester is, above and before all things, a place of business, it is by no means one of relaxation or pleasure.

All the wealth, talent, character, and influence of Manchester, are Conservative. The Dissenters are by far less "political" in that town than in Birmingham. Though many are fanatics against church-rates, and furious for the "Voluntary Principle," they are, on the whole, a very different race of men to the Non-conformists of Birmingham. Let us hope that the six hours' transit between these two commercial marts, will not be unfavourable to the character of the Dissenters of Manchester. They have nothing to gain from their contact with them-but may lose much of their piety, sobriety, and usefulness. Let us rather hope that the vulgar asperities of the Dissenting character in Birmingham may be softened down and improved, by coming more frequently in contact with the Crewdsons, the Winkworths, the Joules, and other respectable and well-conducted Dissenters of Manchester.

The pleasures and amusements of Manchester are but few-fewer than would be expected in such a town, with such a varied population. Amongst the higher classes, dinner parties appear to be particularly in

21

vogue; and the splendour of some of the tables may vie with London, or any capital in Europe. I wish, how ever, they would vary their viands a little more than they do, and not for ever present us with boiled fowls and white sauce, cod's head and shoulders, and roast beef. Twice a-week this could be borne with patience-but really, when the twice is transformed into six, it becomes unsupportable. The fate of the side dishes at Manchester, is most amusing. No one thinks of partaking of them. The top and bottom dishes are alone honoured with notice and the mutton patties, veal olives, and curry and rice, remain as useless ornaments upon the table. If some London or Paris visitor ventures to ask for a portion of these mere adornings of the table, he is instantly assailed with the enquiry, " What, will you not take some boil'd fowl?" "Do you not like roast beef?" as though it were a sin of the deepest die not to prefer the top and bottom monsters, to the little knick-knacks of the side dishes. The Manchester tables are admirably supplied with "entremets," and Very himself could not present so inviting a list in the Palais Royal. But, then, why is all the champagne, sillery, at Manchester? Oh, how I do hate still champagne! The noise of the cork is worth half-a glass, and the foam, bright and sparkling, the other half. I would rather hear that "bang," and laugh at that foam, than drink a bucket of your insipid and twaddling sillery. But who shall describe the dessert, the mahogany tables, brighter than ten thousand mirrors, and "the" port of Manchester? Thomas Townend's port wine, mahogany tables, and giant filberts, will indeed long hold a large and comprehensive space in the best apartments of any memory. At Manchester, as every where else, the ladies will retire, the gentlemen will regret it; and politics and business absorb the conversation of the evening. After all, however, dinner parties are pleasant sort of things, but not when the dinner hour is five, and when you have to drive at least three miles from your hotel or house, to partake of the repast. Almost all of the wealthy men live too far off their places of business, and the centre of the town so that, it is by no means an unimportant matter to decide how you are to return in the evening. But yet, to such a point of perfection in business

have the Manchester merchants arrived, that omnibuses fetch you from dinner parties, and whirl you up hill and down dale, from villa to villa, and house to house, where it is known that the proprietors are regaling their friends. The Polygon and Ardwick Green are convenient distances from the bustle and business of Manchester

but Chatham Hill, Charlton, and Oxford Road, are an immense way off-and where the natives dine at four, even on state occasions, the day is lost in preparations, arrivals, stay, and return. Yet dinner parties at Manchester are by no means disagree. able.

On the whole, "Manchester for ever!"-not her "hooks," and not her Radicals-not her Papist schools, nor her four meals per diem-not her early hours, nor her still champagne

not her two o'clock dinners, nor her boiled fowls and white sauce— but Manchester for ever, still! Yes! long live that energy of characterthat loyalty of conduct--that indus. try, talent, and perseverance, which in so eminent a degree distinguish the men of Manchester. Long live their powers of invention, their constant habit of searching for improvement, their love of all that is practically scientific and useful to man in his intercourse with his fellow beings. Long live the charities of Manchester, great and glorious as they are, and that spirit of benevolence which (with but comparatively few exceptions) is ever ready to assist a good cause, and urge it forward. Long live the generous hospitality of Manchester, which opens wide the door to the foreigner as well as to the friend, and spreads before both the best productions of the garden, the orchard, and the field. Long live the active habits of business and punctuality of Manchester, and that good faith which presides over at least a large portion of all their transactions. And long live-nay, it is sure to live for ever, for it has God for its Author, and heaven for its reward—that true unaffected piety which exists in Manchester in so pre-eminent a degree, which illustrates its possessors by every virtue, and sheds its bright and glorious influence over the whole population. It is virtue alone that exalteth a nation, as sin is a reproach to any people. Yes! MANCHESTER FOR EVER!

I HAD for some days felt myself a little out of sorts, and had suffered from a peculiar acidity of the stomach, and flying pains about my ancles and toes, which I considered to be rheumatic; and as I have always found in any ailment that ever afflicted me, that a few days relaxation and residence by the sea-side was an infallible restorative, I laid a formal statement of my case before my wife, and with her permission determined to make a holiday, and fairly run away from business; and to domicile myself, and my acidities, and my aches, in her company, in one of the comfortable rooms of Mr Parry's Hotel at Seacombe, on the banks of the Mersey, opposite Liverpool.

This is not, perhaps, a very usual or a very agreeable time of the year to visit the sea-side, but to me the sea never comes amiss; and, as I have long had experience of the comforts of the hotel where we had concluded to sojourn, my determination to go there was not suspended for one moment, by any impertinent reflection, that it was much nearer to the winter than to the summer solstice.

When people are in earnest in their determination to travel, short preparation suffices; and, in a very few hours after I had obtained my wife's consent to migrate, we were seated in an easy gig, rolling along a smooth macadamized road, at the top speed of a good horse, making the best of our way to the nearest railway station.

Once on the railway, a journey from that part of the country to Liverpool is an affair of almost a few minutes; and, barring an accident,-such as blowing up a civil engineer or two, or running against a contra train, and smashing two or three carriages, and pounding and compounding the passengers, no time is afforded for ad

venture.

It will, therefore, not be matter for surprise that I and my wife arrived at Liverpool without the occurrence of any thing extraordinary; and, as we are both well acquainted with that place, we made no stay there, but, putting ourselves on the deck of a steampacket, were shortly afterwards landed on the stage at Seacombe, where the portly Mr Smith receives, with such

peculiar grace, threepence from each passenger, for the particular benefit and behoof of the no less portly Mr Parry.

We were soon seated in a comfortable room in the hotel, with a fine glowing fire, and in a condition to order and enjoy a good dinner; with which, at this house, even a gourmand may be provided to his satisfaction at any time on short notice.

But Mr Parry is celebrated for the preparation of that savory article, turtle soup; and, as I entertain for it a respect amounting almost to veneration, I introduced my dinner with the usual modicum of it, following it with a glass of punch-for, according to my creed, the man is a noodle that swallows not punch with his turtle!

Other substantial matters followed, all good in their way, consisting of fish, flesh, vegetables, and pastry; and my wife and I, after dining sumptuously, cracked a few walnuts, and drank a little of the excellent wine that was placed before us, and felt more disposed to fall into a doze than to remove from our quarters.

I arose the next morning, better in my own estimation for even my single night's sojourn by the sea; and I walked on the noble river bank, and enjoyed, with a glowing feeling of delight, the beautiful scenery of this beautiful place.

Immediately in front of our sittingroom window is the extensive and important town of Liverpool, with her long line of warehouses, her spires, and domes, and towers, and, more than all, her docks and quays, and her forest of masts, bespeaking an extended intercourse with all the nations of the earth, and exhibiting in herself no ignoble epitome of the immense trade of England!

Looking towards the left is a view, extending seawards, varied every moment by the transit of vessels, of all sorts and sizes, struggling to enter into, or to go forth from, the port, with here and there a little boat and its crew, apparently wrestling with the waves for a very existence; whilst on the right is a milder scene-the river appearing to form a smooth lake, surrounded with smiling scenery, and bearing on its bosom a rude inland craft, apparently constructed for the

purpose of conveying the produce of the peaceful and quiet country to the bustling and important place where commerce has erected her ever busy throne; and immediately before our hotel flows the majestic stream which causes the bustle, and animation, and prosperity of all around.

It is a scene I believe scarcely to be paralleled elsewhere; that happy mixture of rurality and business-of country and of town-that realization of simply looking on and almost acting in the scene that all persons who have once enjoyed it must remember it with satisfaction and delight.

There is no such thing to be seen on the Thames; and, if there was, the mob of London would, in one week, destroy one half of its charms by taking away all its privacy. Even here, every year is lessening the beauty of the scene, by the addition of huge masses of brick and mortar in the shape of houses; and, in a very few years, Seacombe will not have to boast the beautiful scenery that at present is its characteristic, and one of its greatest attractions.

I rambled about the whole of that day, inhaling the breeze from the sea, but by no means getting rid either of the acidity of my stomach, or the rheumatic sensations in my feet; and I went into the hotel at five o'clock, prepared again to partake of the good cheer provided by Mr Parry in the shape of a dinner.

I again encountered the steam of his turtle soup, and luxuriated on the green fat, andwashed down the last luscious spoonful with a glass of punch, and again there followed those good things which are always to be found in the cuisine of the Seacombe hotel.

I had, in the course of my rambling, met with a friend who had accompanied me to dinner, and he spent the evening with me over some excellent port and a cigar, and telling old tales of bygone times, until, in our very thoughtlessness I believe, the third bottle had disappeared ere either of us

were aware.

The following morning found me again on the river bank, encountering the breeze in pursuit of health; but, by some means or other, I felt more out of order that morning than previously, and I had a considerable increase of pain in my feet.

I hobbled about during the day and

retired to the hotel at night, in the hope that a basin of turtle, followed by such other agreeables as the attention of my wife was certain to provide, would have the effect of restoring me to my usual state.

I had the turtle, and it was, if pos sible, more delicious that day than previously; and I followed it, according to my custom, with a glass of punch. My wife had ordered a small turbot and lobster sauce, with a roasted pig; of both of which I ate well, and afterwards some pastry. I mention these matters so minutely, on account of a difference of opinion that exists betwixt my medical attendant and myself.

The cloth was withdrawn, and I was in a state of perfect satisfaction and repose, and felt myself completely free from all the maladies of life! My wife drank her usual glass, and I drank two or three from the bottle of excellent old port that stood on the table; and, after a vain effort at conversation, my wife put on her spectacles, and took up the newspapers.

I philosophised awhile, occasionally sipping my wine, and at length_observed the newspaper gradually lowering from my wife's hands, whilst her head also declined; and her spectacles dropped from her face to her lap, and her cap very soon followedshe was asleep!

I took another glass of wine, and my thoughts having been previously engaged in a speculation on the results of steam, I resumed the train of my musing.

I mentally compared the rate of travelling before and since the adaptation of steam to travelling purposes. I contemplated the future speed at which we might arrive, and saw time and distance perfectly annihilatedtraversed the distance from England to China betwixt breakfast and dinner

and slept one night at Mexico, and the next at Moscow. I considered the advantages that would result to mankind from a more rapid transit of the products of the earth; and saw turtles one day floating off the Island of Ascension, and the next served up to lunch in the shape of soup at Parry's Hotel. I then discussed, learnedly, the various preparations of that delicate animal, and the imitations that have in vain been made of it, and seriously doubted whether or not its