but, finding on his arrival here that the meeting he was in quest of had been dispersed, the soldiery returned to Bolton.

At this period the use of greatly improved machinery "enabled the manufacturer to produce his commodities with so small an expenditure of labour, as gave him the power to undersell the manufacturers of other countries, and yet to command high profits himself. With these high profits he extended his business, and accordingly offered and paid high wages compared with the general rate throughout the country, but these comparatively high wages soon attracted labour from other parts, and though the increase of population showed that there was a great extension of business, yet, in a short time, wages in them partook of the general decline."

The census of 1801 states that the number of individuals engaged in trade and manufactures in the town- ship of Oldham was 5006; solely engaged in agriculture 42, and the number otherwise employed 6048. This portion of the returns is evidently defective, for there can be no doubt the greater part of the population would be engaged in manufactures.

Owing to the prosperity of the times, the annual rush-bearing of 1802, was memorable for the extraordinary spirit with which it was held. A local chronieler, Mr. William Rowbottom, speaks as if never in the memory of the oldest person living was there so much feasting, frolicking, and drinking, as at these wakes. The working people were exceedingly well clothed, and though there were four carts decked out with rushes, there were few of those brutal contests that have too often disgraced this season of enjoyment. Mr. Washington Irving most justly observes, "that every custom that tends to infuse. poetical feelings into the people, and to sweeten and soften the rudeness of rustic

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