on the part of the working classes to support the parties most favourable to their interests, that scarcely any doubt could be entertained by any reflecting mind as to which of the contending parties would eventually triumph. In no respect perhaps are the peculiarities which mark the inhabitants of Oldham more clearly manifested than in the means by which a powerful political party have acquired an apparently deep seated ascendancy over the minds of the local population. If we look to the opinions and proceedings of this community, both as to popular measures of national import and party questions of local interest, we shall probably find them about the most singular people in the kingdom. Most of them profess extreme regard for certain principles, but whilst indulging in a vast amount of theory, they generally take care to frame their actions as the exigencies of the moment may seem to require, or, as is most frequently the case, as party policy may dictate. Liberal in profession, cautious in action, no body of people hate hardship more; yet, if managed with discretion, none bear it more patiently. The present Earl of Ellesmere once observed : " Speaking from my own experience, slight, indeed, I should say, if Oldham be a radical town, it has more reasoning in its radicalism, more good humour in its discontent, and is more cordial and zealous in its conservatism, than any town that I know of between St. George's channel and the Yorkshire coast." "They are more indebted to art and industry than to nature, and they supply by that industry what nature has denied them. Their wealth depends upon the fruit of their own labour, so it is contended by some that as industry and parsimony have alone raised them to their present station, so industry and parsimony can alone guarantee the continuance of their prosperity. It cannot be denied, however, that parsimony is frequently carried to too great an excess, and that all present enjoyment is sacrificed in an overweening anxiety to provide for the future. Rigorous and intolerant in their party con-

201