unnecessary detail; he has removed the cumbrous and heavy drapery of the ponderous volume, in order to obtain, in the first place, a clear light for the display of the principal features of his picture; and in the second, to render the book suitable to the class to whom it is addressed.

RAMBLES IN THE COTTON FIELDS

AND

COTTON FACTORIES.

CHAPTER I.

Of all the subjects which have been epitomized, it is remarkable that the vast department of English commerce, the cotton trade, should have been overlooked among those topics which have been selected for the instruction and amusement of youth, especially as it is a subject in itself, and belongs to a class of interests, of all interests the most likely to involve them on their approach to maturity. The rise, progress, and extent of the cotton trade is a subject with which all persons should be acquainted; for in this department of our trade, more of commercial

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and moral interests are involved than many persons imagine. Indeed at the present time it is of the utmost importance to individuals, as well as to society, that the youth of a country should be informed on the great branches of the commerce of their country; for we maintain, that unless they are so instructed in these matters, in their full political and moral bearing, they cannot, however willing, render to society a full amount of service. Indeed persons ignorant on these points, may compared to blind men, they step out slowly and indifferently, but cannot proceed at once straightforward: if they do right, it is merely by accident. It must be admitted that when such is the case, many blunders and errors must occur. And such indeed is the state of our own country. England, that ranks so high, politically and morally so high among the nations, has a population, the half of which, we may safely say, are utterly ignorant of the nature of that policy which regulates their present existence.

Now we think there can be no one but must wish things otherwise; there are many, however, I believe, who think it is difficult to impart this kind of knowledge

very

to the people generally; for our own part we do not think it difficult; with due care we think it quite possible to instruct people in this trade as well as in all those departments of trade in which they are so largely concerned. The word difficulty seldom occurs in the language of the sincere and the enlightened; but is everlastingly on the tongue of the indolent and prejudiced. Experience shows us the vast acquirements which men are equal to. Experience shows that men may be moulded almost at pleasure; we may make them wise or ignorant, polite or vulgar, virtuous or vicious, just in proportion to the amount of cultivation bestowed. As a proof of this, if we compare the individual bred and educated among the peasantry with one who has been reared and educated among the nobility, we shall find a distinct and striking difference, forming the most vivid illustration that can be given of what may be done through the means of education.

We must not, however, be misunderstood: youth should be fully trained to the various occupations to which they are destined. The time required for this is long, and the most undivided attention is also requi