1841, as stated in the parliamentary returns, was 42,595; Crompton, 6,729; Royton, 5,730; and Chadderton, 5,397. The aggregate population of the four townships at this period was 60,451. The increase per cent. of the population of Oldham township, from 1831 to 1841, was 31%. The population of the town in 1841, exclusive of Greenacres moor and North moor, was about 16,500, and inclusive of those suburbs 28,077. In the present year the population of the entire town is about 34,000. The population of Ashton-under-Lyne parish, in 1841, was 46,343, town, 22,686; Rochdale parish, 67,865, town, 27,000 ; Bury parish, 61,977, town, 18,000 ; Bolton-le-moors parish, 73,893, town, 47,000 ; Preston parish, 53,412, town, 45,000 ; Blackburn parish, 71,681, town, 34,000 ; Manchester parish, 349,174, town, 282,280.

In the latter part of 1841, the cotton trade became more depressed than had scarcely ever before been known. To relieve and mitigate, as far as practicable, the sufferings of the distressed, subscriptions were liberally entered into by the inhabitants, aided by a grant of £500 from the London relief fund. In the latter end of December, the subscriptions amounted to £1,040, which was expended in food and clothing, and distributed in various proportions according to circumstances, to about 1,900 poor families, at several distinct periods, in the early part of 1842.

The inhabitants of Oldham must date from 1842, the commencement of the local advantages arising from railway communication, the Oldham branch of the Manchester and Leeds Railway being opened on the 3lst of March, 1842. Although this short line of railway is materially injured by a serious steep incline of 1 in 26, the undertaking has proved of great advantage to the district.

The condition of the working classes continuing

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