have been established during the last dozen years show that provident habits,and a spirit of independence prevail to a large extent amongst them, since they are willing to make some effort, and even some sacrifices, in order to improve their social position. The projection of freehold land societies, as was to be be expected from this characteristic of the people, excited marked attention here, and early in the year 1850, Mr. James Taylor, of Birmingham, the founder of these societies, visited the town by invitation, and delivered a lecture on the subject. On the 13th of May in that year, the Oldham Freehold Land Society was established, and at the close of the same year 52 acres of land were purchased at Werneth, and laid out in 363 small plots, which were allotted to the members on the 24th of March, 1851. The erection of buildings on the estate was commenced soon afterwards, and at the close of 1855 the number of houses which had been completed upon it was 109.

The Working Man's Hall, in Horsedge street, as its name denotes, has been erected mainly by the operative classes. The fund was raised by one pound shares, and the foundation stone was laid in 1844, by the late Mr. Feargus O'Connor, who had suggested the idea of its erection in consequence of the Town hall having been refused for a lecture he was to deliver. In 1854 the hall was considerably enlarged, for the Lyceum Exhibition; it is capable of accommodationg upwards of 2000 people, and is new chiefly used as a theatre.

The Temperance Hall, in Horsedge street, may also be noticed as the result of the efforts of working men. It was originally built for a Hall of Science, at a cost of upwards of £900, when the pernicious principles of Robert Owen had gained a temporary popularity. Here, however, as in other places throughout the country, the better sense of thc people soon regained its sway, their'

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