ness; and my offence is this, that when Mr. Charles Shawe was so busy about his improvements in the machinery of our mill, and called me into his room, to ask my opinion on part of his new ma chine, I gave an opinion that happens to have been the right one."- "I came to tell you this," said Melford, "and to tell you in confidence; but who has been before me? Ah! well- -never mind, I don't ask; perhaps the Shawes have found out about the strike. It was a pity you had any thing to do with Charles Shawe's handy work. They say he has got a patent for his improved powerloom, and that if the men do really turn out again, it is to be introduced into the mill. I should not wonder if he were to get the mill, machine and all, burnt down for his pains."-" Nor should I wonder," said Abel, "if Mr. Shawe and his partners were to get rid of the whole concern, and go to another part of the kingdom, or perhaps to the Continent, to try the improved power-loom in other factories, and with other workmen, and so leave us all in the lurch."-" Pshaw! Abel. Are not the Shawes too tender-hearted to do any such thing? They are sure to come into our terms; at least, so the men say."-" But his patience is nearly worn out," said Abel; you cannot deny but it has been tried almost long enough. I know what this strike is about; it is owing to the late fall of wages. The house has received a large order from Preston and Green's, one that would

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bring them an immense profit. Your party know it, and they say, 'Now is the time to raise our wages again, or we will strike, if the Shawes resist. They will hardly risk such a loss as they will incur, if they are unable to execute this new order.' If so many men leave the mill, the order must be declined, or only partly executed; perhaps the mill may be shut up. Now this has happened too often. The improved power-loom is not ready for use, or the order might be executed with a third of the number of hands. However, after this fresh strike, the Shawes determine to risk a large outlay of capital, and build the new looms, and introduce them; and then, should they succeed, as no doubt they will, all the hands that have struck must be contented to bid farewell for ever to the factory. If the masters were not to act thus, they would, in time, be utterly ruined; it would be impossible for them to stand such continual interruptions in their business, and whether they are ruined or not, the men, who have little or no capital but that of the Union to depend on, must be ruined at last."

"But the book, Abel; tell me what this book is that you are reading?"-"I will shew it you, Melford; it is Babbage on the Economy of Machinery. Look at this passage, that he has taken from the Report of the Committee on the Fluctuation of Manufacturers' Employment:* Any vio

* See Babbage on the Economy of Machinery, p. 229.

lence used by the workmen against the property of their masters, and any unreasonable combination on their part, is almost sure thus to be injurious to themselves.' And observe what he says. 'This passage is not printed in italics in the original, but it has been thus marked in the above extract, from its importance, and from the conviction, that the most extended discussion will afford additional evidence of its truth.' And here again, read these excellent remarks: * It is of great importance, that the more intelligent amongst the class of workmen should examine into the correctness of these views; because, without having their attention directed to them, the whole class may, in some instances, be led by designing persons to pursue a course, which, although plausible in appearance, is in reality at variance with their own best interests. I confess, I am not without a hope, that this volume may fall into the hands of workmen, perhaps better qualified than myself to reason upon a subject which requires only plain common sense, and whose powers are sharpened by its importance to their personal happiness. In asking their attention to the preceding remarks, and to those which I shall offer respecting combinations, I can claim only one advantage over them, namely, that I never have had, and in all human probability never shall have, the slightest pecuniary

* See Babbage on the Economy of Machinery, p. 230.

interest, to influence, even remotely, or by antici

pation, the judgments I have which have come before me.'

formed on the facts

Do you not think,

Melford, that a man would be wiser, if he were to consult such a book as this, even if he chose to put religion out of the question, rather than listen to the random promises of such ignorant pretenders as some of your radical teachers and leaders are ?" Melford smiled, but said nothing, and went out.

CHAPTER VII.

"See, then, that ye take not those for your guides, who, whilst they promise you liberty, are themselves the servants of corruption; and who must make you the servants of corruption, before you can consent to follow them." ARCHDEACON BATHER.

In the morning, a petition for an advance of wages was sent to Messrs. Shawe and Stedman. It was at once rejected. The men, with the exception of a very few, turned out. Cooper was never more astonished than when he found that Melford was among the number of those who did not strike. Melford had taken off his name from the trades' Union also that morning. The manly and resolute spirit which he had showed, when he came forward in the midst of his former associates and declared his decision, had the effect of leading many, who had already "struck," to follow his example. Mr. Shawe and his partners gave orders that very day for the introduction of the improved machinery into the factory; and thus about one-third only of