December, when Mr. Fox was returned by a majority of 112, the numbers at the close of the poll being - for Mr. Fox, 895; for Mr. Heald, 783. The number of parliamentary voters in the borough was then 1981.

It has formed a subject of remark to strangers that music is a favourite amusement of the cotton manufacturing population of Lancashire. The county has produced many fine voices, particularly sopranos; and the people seem to have an inborn relish for vocal music, with a peculiar capability for part singing. The Lancashire chorus singers, indeed, have long been celebrated as the best in the kingdom, and to these Oldham has furnished its due proportion, amongst whom may be named Mrs. Knyvett, Miss M. Travis, of Shaw, Mrs. Wild, Misses Clough, Miss Chadwick, Miss Sevill, &c., who were engaged at all the principal musical festivals in England for several years, and some of whom are still alive. The following brief notices of some of the principal vocalists and composers in the town and neighbourhood will, therefore, we have doubt be acceptable to our readers : -

Perhaps the most eminent vocalist this neighbourhood has ever produced was the celebrated Mrs. Knyvett, originally known as Miss Deborah Travis, who was born at Shaw. She completed her musical education with Thomas Greatorix, Esq., conductor of "The Ancient Concerts," in London, at which she was long a favourite. She attained a very high rank amongst English vocalists, and her singing of many of Handel's compositions was admitted never to have been surpassed. Who, having once heard it, could ever forget the matchless beauty and pathos with which she sung -

"What though I trace each herb and flower
That drinks the morning dew,
Did I not own Jehovah's power,
How vain were all I knew!"

In the year 1827 Miss Travis married `William Knyvett,

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