nations can pursue to more advantage, will cease as soon as employment is free, and the working people can readily change from one employment to another. We have been so long accustomed to regard the cotton manufacture as our staple trade, that we cannot readily recognise that it is not indigenous to us, but rather belongs to other nations of more delicate temperament, with slight and taper fingers, for whom our business is to make the machinery. There was a time when Norwich was a stronghold of French Hugenots, who manufactured their textile fabrics. For some especial reason the trade ceased, and Norwich is a locality of many houses and few tenants; but not therefore do Norfolk farmers cease to thrive. It is not mere numbers, but quality, that we should look to in our people as well as in our cattle. The old fable that "one Englishman could beat three Frenchmen" had a meaning in it in the time of the elder Bourbons, and we ought to train and educate our people, that however true may be the text, "that the poor shall never cease from out of the land," still they shall only be the disabled poor, and not poor from the want of a consistent round of employment. These things must be thought of, and the remedies applied, even though the pride of Lancashire will scoff at the idea of the possibility that grass may grow in the streets of Manchester, fish sport in the Irwell, and rooks sentinel the smokeless brick stalks. They will change their trades ere that comes to pass. and labour, technically designated by the words Strikes and Lock-outs. Industrious men, spurred by a laudable desire to better their condition, with increasing families and heavy expenditure on one hand; and manufacturers, whose duty it is to calculate the costs of raw produce, wages of labour, rents, interests of money, and risks on the other, have for some time laboured under disastrous disagreements, which cause large losses, extensive misery, and considerable derangement of trade. The great question at issue is-How much is labour worth? Are present wages reasonable and just? if not reasonable, are the operatives justified to strike for higher wages? or would it be desirable to establish another relationship between employers and employed? The value of labour is naturally governed by the supply of labour and the demand for labour. The more competition exists in the labour market, the lower will be the wages. The greater is the demand for labour, the higher will be its value. The supply of labour is mainly affected by population. An extensive emigration alters, therefore, the relative value of capital and labour, and wages must necessarily rise. But the value of labour is also governed by the demand for labour. This demand is governed by the prosperity of the home trade, and by the extent of, and profits accruing from, our exports to foreign countries. The latter, again, are governed by the want that those countries have for British goods, by their ability to pay for them, by the price at which they can themselves produce similar articles, or at which they can purchase them from other countries. I do not think, with the Young England poet, that our "old nobility" can stand us in entire stead, while “laws and commerce die," but it is desirable, that while we try to "hold on to the actual," we should make sure that it That the increase of our exports is dependant upon be really the actual, and not the transient. If we can the cheapness of the prices of British goods is sufficiently make our shirtings cheaper than others, and pay good acknowledged. The extension of machinery abroad, and wages, let us go on, but it would be too serious a matter the stimulus given to manufactures in France, the United to try to bolster up the cotton trade, as was tried by the States of America, Germany, Italy, are well known, and sempstresses on the eve of the advent of sewing machines. they are only arrested by their want of coal and capital. The quarrel of the employers and employed over a failing Labour they possess sufficiently cheap. If the dearness trade, which is certainly the case at present, if the em- of labour in this country raises materially the value of ployers speak truth, would be more than an absurdity. British goods, they will strive to increase still further Aud if the return of peace should bring a temporary pros- their own productions; or, failing that, they will turn perity to the cotton trades, it will also set the continental themselves to other quarters whence they may import nations more actively at work to compete with us. Let them at lower rates. There may be therefore solid it not be supposed that it is in fear of England's prosperity reasons for the unwillingness of the masters to grant conthat I speak—she does not yet trust wholly to cotton- stant advances in the wages of labour. They see that but this, also, is one of the questions that wise workmen they would thereby endanger their operations, and that and wise employers would do well to analyse. The care- they would risk the entire loss of many markets. But, less working man brings up all his sons to his own trade; whatever be the source of disputes between the masters the cautious workman looks out for as many trades as and operatives, are the latter justified in striking? I sons, and thus effects his insurance. My own belief is, shall not dispute their right to set any price they choose that there is yet in the world so large an assemblage of on their labour, and to refuse working at lower wages; human serfs growing up out of savages, that competition but are they right to measure the worth of their labour in the common labour of textile fabrics, especially cotton, without reference to the circumstances which governs the will have the effect of transferring the free English work- demand for it? It is the neglect of this consideration man to newer and higher employments, even though the that renders them so peremptory in their demand for adwrecking of emigrant ships and the wholesale destruction vances. They do not think that the interest of the emof passengers, should become a normal condition of transit, ployers and the employed are identical-that if our and preclude them from reaching Australia. Trusting exports do not pay, or if our customers are suffering that both employers and employed will consider in the either by dearness of provisions or political convulsions, coming conference this possible phase of their condition our trade is seriously affected, and in its turn the wages amongst others, and quite sure that nature will vindicate are lowered. They are easily led from appearances of her own laws, whether they consider them or not-possi-prosperity, and their demands are consequently opposed. bly the great law that nations and productions were made diverse, to the end of a mutual dependence and bond of union, The There is another ground upon which sudden advances are The Fourth question is, would it be desirable to estab ། This is another illustration of the want of tribunals of commerce-a question which will in all probability be introduced into the House of Commons next session. As to the restricting of the hours of labour, I am against any government interference, as I believe that masters and operatives are the best judges of what they can do consistently with their interest and their health. The question is one of the utmost importance, and it behoves all parties seriously to consider all its bearings before they come to any conclusion. One great fact need be kept prominently in view-that if 10,000 people strike they lose every day, say at 3s. a day each, £1500, or £9000 per week; and therefore I should say that it is far better for a workman to get even 33. a day, than get nothing for two months whilst striving for 3s. 6d. a day. Yours faithfully. LEONE LEVI. Proceedings of Institutions. lish another relationship between employers and employed, or masters and servants? Would it be a desirable to put the servants in the capacity of limited partners? Partnership is a generic term. There may be a partnership of capital and capital, or capital and labour, in a trading adventure. General partnership is constituted when two persons agree to put together capital or labour, and become jointly liable for their obligations. Limited, or commandite partnership is created when one or two individuals, possessing some capital and industry, obtain the support of a number of individuals, each of whom contributes a given sum, in proportion to which he is to participate in profits and losses. The managing partners have an unlimited responsibility, but the commandite partners do not risk more than the amount subscribed, provided they do not appear in the management. Anonymous partnerships are those where a number of individuals agree to prosecute a public work, and they each take shares in the undertaking, and choose their own manager. The difference between the two kinds of partnership is, that in the former the partnership draws its source from the industry or special position of the managing partners, in the latter from the nature of the undertaking. The manage. DEPTFORD.-The Members of the Mechanics' and ment of the former rests with the general or ostensible partners; that of the latter in one or more agents chosen Literary Institution held their Annual Meeting on Wedby the shareholders. In both the liability of the share-nesday, the 11th January, when the Report of the retiring holders is limited to the amount they have subscribed. committee, with a financial statement, was read by the Now, in all kinds of partnership, first, there must be the Secretary. The report stated that the circulation of works union of something valuable, say capital and labour-a of fiction preponderated over those of more solid usefulpartial or entire joint management-risk and responsibility ness; but, in contrast to this, the attendance at scientific on the part of all. To apply these observations to the and instructive lectures had increased in a satisfactory relation between masters and operatives :-First, the manner. The reading-room had also been well attended. master risks all the capital. The operatives risk their Mention was made of the many advantages that had oclabour; but whilst the master may lose his capital and cured from the connection with the Society of Arts, and still be a rich man, if the operative lose the wages of his that these advantages would in all probability be increased. labour his means of livelihood perish. It would be, The classes did not appear to be progressing in a manner moreover, injurious to the regularity and management of altogether satisfactory, but this was occasioned in a great labour in factories were the workman charged with a re measure by the want of further accommodation. sponsibility or thought which would prevent him from was laid upon the necessity which manifested itself for a bestowing undivided attention to his labour, to say nothing more rigid economy in the expenditure, and that members of the insubordination which might ensue. Arrangements should make a principle of subscribing during the sumare often made between principals and clerks, whereby mer as well as the winter months. There had been no a certain salary is secured, and a proportion of the profits. falling off in the amount of subscriptions for the past But when a clerk has attained a position to claim a proporThe meeting was adjourned till Thursday evening, tion of the profits besides his salary, not only is he above when the officers of the Institution for the ensuing year want, but he is certain of abundant employment. were elected by ballot. year. Stress To remove the anomalies which at present exist in the WANDSWORTH.-The Second Annual Soirée and Exhilaw, in the carrying out of these agreements, without bition of the Literary and Scientific Institution was held rendering the clerk liable as a partner, some measures on Tuesday, the 10th instant. Professor Moseley prewill, I trust, be recommended by the Royal Commis-sided, and drew attention to the various advantages which sioners now inquiring into the state of the law of partnership. Another essential in a partnership is the management. Even in a limited partnership commandite partners may inspect accounts, attend meetings, and exercise a certain amount of control, which it seems to me is incompatible with the character of an operative. I am in favour of introducing partnership with limited liability into this country, but I do not conceive they would work well in factories or mills. I believe that any attempt to abolish the relation of masters and servants must prove fruitless, as it is a divine institution, upon which the whole structure of society is founded. Now as to the means of preventing the occurrence of strikes. The first and best means is a conscientious discharge of the duties on the part of the master. That, together with the success of their operations, they should have the well-being of the operatives under their serious consideration, is, beyond doubt, a primary duty. It is suggested to obtain the establishment of local Boards of Trade for the settlement of disputes between employers and employed. If such arbitrations are to be voluntary, the difficulty will be to choose sound arbitrators. Perhaps local boards of arbitration, composed of employers and employed, presided over by a stipendiary magistrate, might prove of great utility. the Institution had offered during the past year. Twenty Man," by Mr. W. Brook; "Crime and Punishment," (two lectures,) by Mr. C. Pearson; "John Howard," by Mr. Bramall;" Music," by Mr. G. Barker; "Constantinople," by Mr. M. Blackmore; "Heat," by Mr. A. Coleman. Several useful classes had been held at the Rooms. The library had been considerably augmented, and the museum had received many valuable additions. It was gratifying, the Chairman remarked, to see what the Institution had achieved during the past year, and to feel that a considerable amount of useful information Education had worked must have been imparted. many important reforms in the upper classes. Fifty years ago the head of a family was seldom to be found at the domestic hearth, but now no longer did his chair remain vacant; he would be generally Dated 30th December, 1853. 3029. J. Holroyd, Sowerby Bridge-Singeing textile fabrics. sitions as substitutes for caoutchouc, &c. seen after the toils of the day, reading some interesting MON. TUES. WED. MEETINGS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. Actuaries, 7.-Discussion "On Decimal Coinage." Royal Inst. 8.-Professor Tyndall, On Heat." Lond. Inst., 2.—Mr. T. E. Malone, “ On Elementary Society of Arts, 8.-Discussion on Mr. T. Webster's Geological, 8.-1. Professor Ramsay, "On the Occurrence of Gold in North Wales." 2. Captain Strachey, "On the Physical Geology of the Himalayas." THURS. Zoological, 3. Royal Inst., 3.-Professor Wharton Jones, "On London Inst., 7.-Professor Tyndall, "On Magnetism Antiquarian, S. London Inst., 2.-Mr. M. T. Masters, "On Elemen- 1. C. H. Collette, 57, Lincoln's inn fields-Sagar. (A communication.) 3. A. Dawson, 14, Barnes place, Mile End Road-Converting small coal, &c., into blocks of fuel. 5. P. A. Montel, Paris-Stopping trains on railways. 7. P. A. le Comte de Fontaine Moreau, 4, South street, FinsburyWater wheels. (A communication.) Dated 3rd January, 1854. 9. J. Madeley, Walsall-Tubes and nuts and heads of screws. Dated 5th January, 1854. 21. J. Liddiard, Deptford-Prevention of smoke. 23. D. B. White, Newcastle upon Tyne-Waterproof fabrics. 29. J. Pearse, Cawsand, Cornwall-Navigating ships. 31. R. Tait, Glasgow-Ornamental fabrics. 33. J. Healey, Bolton le Moors-Spinning machines known as mules. 34. M. Poole, Avenue road, Regent's park-Dextrine, glucose and pistons. (A communication.) Dated 7th January, 1854. 46. Z. Pettitt, Fordham, Colchester-Thrashing machines. 52. E. Tyer, 3, Rhodes terrace, Queen's road, Dalston-Signals on 54. A. ME. B. E. Ducros and O. Vedeau, Paris, and 16, Castle street, Holborn-Compounds for dyeing. 56. Rev. W. R. Bowditch, Wakefield-Purification of gas. 58. A. Mitchell, Belfast-Propelling vessels. 60. A. Drevelle, Halifax-Combing machines. (A communication.) Dated 11th January, 1854. 62. A. A. Masson, Paris-Gold or silver lace. 66. W. Watt, Glasgow-Application of heat to drying purposes. 70. M. Vetillart, Le Mans, France-Drying woven fabrics, &c. Royal Inst., 3.-Professor Miller, "On the Chemistry 72. F. Tussaud, Paris, and 16, Castle street, Holborn-Universal of the Non-Metallic Elements." Medical, 8. To Correspondents. ERRATUM.-In last number, page 142. col. i. line 8, for PATENT LAW AMENDMENT ACT, 1852. APPLICATIONS FOR PATENTS AND PROTECTION ALLOWED. [From Gazette, 20th January, 1854.] 2004. J. H. Johnson, 47, Lincoln's-inn-fields-Gluten. (A commu- Dated 22nd November, 1853. 2712. R. Adams, King William-street-Firearms. Dated 6th December, 1853. 2832. G. Ross and J. Inglis, Arbroath-Looms. 1706. Isale Alexandre, of Bruxelles and Birmingham-Improvements in metallic pens and penholders. 1745. William Ireland, of Leek-Improvements in the mode or method of melting or fusing iron or other metals, and in the 1723. apparatus employed therein. 1769. Charles Cummins, of 148, Leadenhall street-Improving clock escapements. 1863. Samuel Hall, of 16 Chadwell street, Pentonville-Improvements in furnaces. 1903. John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's inn fields, and of Glasgow 1724. -Improvements in dyeing or colouring textile fabrics and materials, and in the machinery or apparatus connected therewith. (A communication.) 1914. Edward Finch, of Bridge Works, Chepstow, and Charles Lam- 1725. 1728. 2335. James Webster, of Leicester-Improvements in water guages 1732. for steam boilers. 1739. 1741. 2591. Humphrey Chamberlain, of Kempsey, near Worcester-Improvements in the manufacture of bricks and tubes cr tiles. 2605. Samuel Mead Folsom, of Massachusetts, U.S.-A new or improved instrument for ironing clothes or various other articles. (A communication.) 2645. John Cameron and James Napier, both of Loughor, Glamor- 1744. gan-Improvements in obtaining gold and silver from ores, alloys, or compounds containing such metals. 2653. Philip Hill, of Gravel House, Coggeshall-Improvements in 1898. weaving plush and other piled fabrics.-(Partly a communication.) 2685. Henry Richard Cottam, of la, Sussex terrace, Hyde park gardens-Improvements in the construction of portable houses. 2730. Thomas William Kinder, of Dublin-Improvements in the Sealed January 19th, 1854. 1963. 1989. 2171. 2423. of Crewe-Improvement or improvements in the manufacture of iron. Sealed January 21st, 1854. John Lilley, of Thingwall-Separating the refuse vegetable matter contained in the stalk and leaves of the plantain species, and also trees grown in tropical climates, from the fibrous material of the same, in order that the latter may be manufactured into ropes or cordage, and for other purposes for which hemp and flax are used. William Birkett, of Manningham Mills, Bradford-Method of cleansing or purifying and treating soap suds or wash waters so as to fit them to be again used for the washing of wools and other similar matters. Simon Charles Mayer, of Paris, and of 16, Castle street, Holborn-Improved domino bearer. Edward Cockey, Henry Cockey, and Francis Christopher Cockey, Frome-Improvements in the manufacture or production of cheese. John Gillam, of Woodstock-Improvements in apparatus for cleansing and separating corn, grain, and other seeds. Sealed January 23rd, 1854. John Hall, of Bedford-Improved mangle. Samuel Barlow, junior, of Stakehill, and John Pendlebury, of Crumpsall-Improvements in machinery or apparatus for bleaching or cleansing textile fabrics or materials. Alexander Clark, of Gate street, Lincoln's inn fields-Improvements in regulating the speed and indicating the power of steam and other motive power engines. George Peel and Robert Brownhill, both of Manchester-Improvements in air-pump buckets, and in valves for steam engines and other purposes. John Whiteley, of Stapleford-Improvements in warp machinery for the manufacture of textile fabrics. James Hill, of Stalybridge-Improveme ts in machinery used for spinning, doubling, and winding cotton, wool, flax, silk, and other fibrous materials. Charles Collins, of Hartford, U.S.-Manufacture by machinery of tubes from leather or other suitable flexible substance, chiefly for covering the drawing rolls of spinning machinery, but also applicable to other purposes. John France, of North Wharf road, Paddington-Improved morticing machine. Scaled January 25th, 1854. 1778. William Wild, of Salford-Improvements in machinery or apparatus for covering rollers used in the manufacture of cotton and other textile materials, with leather, cloth, or other substances. 1794. 1822. 1846. 1862. 1894. 2272. 2328. 2622. 2644. 2648. 1712. Peter Armand Le Comte de Fontaine Moreau, of South street, 1729. James Murdoch, of 7, Staple inn, London-Improvement in 2025. Richard Archibald Brooman, 166, Fleet street-Improvement in paddle wheels. 2437. Samuel Lloyd, the younger, of Wednesbury-Improvement in 2549. John Moffat, of Birmingham-Improvement or improvements Date of No. in the Registration. Register. 2740. 2742. Samuel C. Lister, of Manningham-Improvements in machinery for washing wool and hair. George Armitage, of Bradford, Yorkshire-Improvements in the construction of presses. Richard Christie, and John Knowles, both of Fairfield, Lancashire-Improvements in the manufacture of terry, cloth, or other woven fabrics having looped surfaoes, and in the Thomas McSweeny, of America square, London-Improvemachinery or apparatus connected therewith. Robert Smith Bartleet, of Redditch-Improvements in apparatus ments in the construction of ships and vessels. used in sewing. Alexander Tariff, of Paisley-Improvements in retarding John Colin Sharpe, of Paisley-Improvements in retarding apparatus for the prevention of accidents on railways. apparatus for the prevention of accidents on railways. Stephen Barker, of Birmingham-Improvement or improveJohn Liddell, of Glasgow-Improvement or improvements, in power-loom weaving. ments in shaping metals. Joseph Fry, of Cannon street West-Improvement in preparing solvents for India rubber and gutta percha, and in rendering waterproof fabrics free from odour. Francis Arding, of the Albert Iron Works, Uxbridge-Im- Daniel Lancaster Banks, of St. James's place, Toxteth park, Davidson Nicholl, of Edinburgh-Improvements in the manu- 2808. George Collier, of Halifax-Certain improvements in looms for 2810. Samuel C. Lister, of Bradford, Yorkshire-Improvements in 2838. John Hargrave, of Kirkstall, Yorkshire-Certain improved WEEKLY LIST OF DESIGNS FOR ARTICLES OF UTILITY REGISTERED. Title. Journal of the Society of Arts. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1854. NINTH ORDINARY MEETING. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1854. THE Ninth Ordinary Meeting of the One dredth Session was held on Wednesday, the 1st instant, HARRY CHESTER, Esq., in the Chair. The following candidates were balloted for and duly elected :—Ashburton, Lord. Barnard, John Edward. Blandford, Marquis of, M.P. Blount, John Patterson. Capel, Rev. George. more practical, and that it had alluded more to the improvements required in the patent laws, which nobody understood better than Mr. Webster. Perhaps, however, that gentleman intended to read another paper, containing suggestions for such amendments at a future meeting of the Society; and he was sure that, should he do so, it would be of great interest and utility. After Mr. Webster had read his paper last week, the meeting was addressed by another friend of his, Mr. Denison, in opposiHun-advantage over those who were to come after him, that tion to the patent laws, with great ability, and he had this whilst they were to be confined to 15. Mr. Denison, in he had been allowed to address the meeting 50 minntes, patents, which, he said, ought not to be allowed to exist, opposing the patent laws, spoke against property in whilst he at the same time argued for property in copyright. Surely that was scarcely consistent, for if there was a copyright in the one there ought to be in the this point, that he felt they ought to be exposed. He other. His friend's arguments were so fallacious on who came after, and if one man wrote a good book said, 66 Every book that was published assisted those upon any subject, it did not prevent another person writing a better or a worse; all that he was prevented doing was, the copying the work of another; whilst the patent laws said that whilst a patent was in existence no person should make a similar article to that patented." He maintained that no greater mistake than this had ever been made by any person addressing a public assembly. Why a copyright interfered as much with another person, as a patent could possibly do, for a patent. did not prevent any person producing another machin to accomplish the same results as the one patented. All that the law said was that they should not copy the altogether erroneous to say, that a patent stood in the same arrangement of the machinery. It was therefore Mr. Denison had made such a statement. way of another inventor: and he was surprised that Mr. Denison, Lawes, John Bennet. Rev. Lord. Sells, Edward Perronet. As a Corresponding Dr. John. Clark, Daniel Kinnear. THE PATENT LAWS. ADJOURNED DISCUSSION. The CHAIRMAN stated that, in order to give as many gentlemen as possible an opportunity of expressing their opinions on this important subject, it had been resolved to restrict each speaker to fifteen minutes; and though as a general rule a gentleman could only speak once on the same subject, he would first call upon Mr. Prosser, as the few words addressed to them by that gentleman at the close of the proceedings at the last meeting could scarcely be considered a speech. Mr. PROSSER felt that it was impossible to do justice to the subject, either in fifteen minutes or an hour, and he would, therefore, respectfully decline to offer any further observations. Mr. WORDSWORTH said, that on the occasion of their last meeting, Mr. Denison had remarked that the paper was so metaphysical and philosophical, that it was difficult to follow it. It might be so to some extent, but he (Mr. Wordsworth) accounted that to be its great praise; for though it might detract from its utility as regarded suggestions for the amendment of the law, it did not de tract from the excellence of the paper itself. He therefore begged to tender his unqualified praise to Mr. Webster for what he had brought before them, though he almost wished that the paper had been made a little created a monopoly, and he gave the most outrageous Mr. Denison was known to be a man of talent, and thereexample to support his views which could be conceived. fore if he made a speech full of fallacies it was the duty of every one to endeavour to expose them, and place the matter fairly before the public. He had thought proper the country, and, comparing them to the patent laws, said, to refer to soke mills, which existed in different parts of they had been productive of nothing but difficulties and litigation. Everyone knew that soke mills originated in ancient times, when the lord of the manor thought fit to erect them for the use of his retainers, or all those who went to reside on the manor. compelled to No man, however, was therefore not to grind his corn at these particular reside there or till the soil, and mills. There was a monopoly, however, still existing, resulting from a patent which Mr. Denison might have fairly attacked, viz., a patent granted, by Charles the Second to one of his illegitimate offspring, in the postoffice, and which was held by the nobleman who descended from him. It was not necessary, however, for him to refer more particularly to a case like that, as it had nothing to do with the patent laws. Mr. Denison founded an argument against the patent laws, on the assertion that reason why they should not give encouragement to others the majority of patentees lost money; but that was no to invent and improve inventions. The argument of Mr. Denison, carried to its legitimate conclusion, would overturn the whole property of the country. Because they were called upon to afford protection and encouragement to inventors, did they in any way injure those who had no such property to protect? He considered, however, that the real question for them to consider was, how far the patent laws could be improved, and that he thought was a proper subject to be taken in hand by the Society of Arts, who had already done much good in that direc |