expense and effect, we shall find that the expense of one woman delivered in a lying-in hospital (independently of the cost of supplying her place at home during the month) will be five guineas: whereas for the same sum, applied according to the regulations of the charity at Ware, twelve women will receive more unexceptionable, and perhaps more useful, relief, during this period of suffering and danger.

Feb. 15, 1803.

No. CII.

Extract from an account of the Cotton Mills at Rothsay in the Isle of Bute. By Mr. CARR, of Leeds.

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In the management of the cotton mills at Rothsay, two objects have been attended to,-health, and morals. With regard to the first, every known precaution for keeping the rooms clean and well aired, such as frequently washing the floors, whitewashing, and a free circulation of air by windows and ventilators,-has been adopted. In warming the rooms, they do not use stoves intensely heated, but instead of them, they have stoves with extended surfaces for supplying heat. In the operation of carding, by enclosing the machines, they in some degree prevent the flying of the card-dust. At the same time they hold out inducements to personal cleanliness, and

attempt to give them effect, by the premiums for attention and good behaviour, being composed of articles contributing to neatness and cleanliness ;-such as soap, combs, razors, &c. The hours of working are from 6 in the morning until 7 in the evening. About 40 minutes are allowed for breakfast, and as much for dinner. The people go home to both of those meals; and, as none of them have far to go, the practice seems to be in favour of their health.

Considering religion as the only solid ground of morality, every attention is paid to instructing the children in the principles of Christianity. For this purpose, and to teach them reading and other branches of necessary education, a teacher is employed. He used formerly to teach the children in the evenings, after the mills were stopped; but they have lately adopted the plan of teaching them during the day. This is by one or two at a time getting their lessons in an adjacent room by rotation; which is

done without any hindrance to the work, and with many obvious advantages, as well to the general progress of the business, as to the children themselves. They also meet together at school, on Sunday evenings, for religious instruction. Besides the instructions which the children receive from the teacher, the masters of the different departments have directions to check every immoral practice, in those who are under their charge.

Generally speaking, the morals and conduct of the people employed in the Rothsay cotton mills, are as correct as those of the other inhabitants of the Island of Bute. Much, however, among free labourers, must depend upon the people themselves. In this respect, there are great difficulties: too many of the parents do not see the advantages, which arise from cleanliness (particularly in their houses), from proper methods of preparing their food, and from having their children well educated. It is hoped, however, that in these respects they

are gradually improving. There is a friendly society belonging to the works, which promises considerable benefit.

OBSERVATIONS.

Such is the account with which I have been favoured by Messrs. Bannatine and Buchanan of Glasgow. It might be an object worthy the attention of the humane, to enquire whether some mode of spinning the higher numbers of the mule-yarn could not be devised, in a lower temperature, and in a freer circulation of air, than is commonly practised: and whether it might not be practicable for weavers also to work to advantage in more airy shops. Were all the cotton mills in the kingdom to adhere to a reasonable length of working hours, and to have the children properly educated, such measures, we should think, would conduce much to the health and morals of the people, without being injurious to the manufacturer, or prejudicial to his fair profits: the benefits of the limitation