Colored News.
London, England, 1855-09-01 00:00:00

THE HALF-lIOLIDAY MOVEMENT.

WHEN first, in the month of October, 1842, a few individuals
connected with the drapery business formed themselves into
an association for the purpose of abridging the hours of
labour in shops, they were met not only with ridicule and
contempt, but with the most determined opposition. And
since then—since the Metropolitan Drapers' Association has
extended its views so as to embrace all trades, and has
merged into the Early Closing Association, with how much
opposition, prejudice, and ridicule have not its promoters had
to contend ! But in spite of this, the cause—as all good

ever do—has gone on progressing and prospering ;
_ nd the half-holiday meeting which took place last week 3,vay
a triumph of principle over prejudice of no common kind
It was a triumph to see the magistrates of the first coin

mercial city in the world congregating together on that occa-
sion. It was a triumph to hear ministers of the Gospel
stand forth and proclaim that the late hour system was an
unchristian one. And that with all the high privileges of
their sacred office, they deemed it not one of the least to be
allowed to stand forward to abolish this system. It was a
triumph to hear masters and employers who had tried the
early closing system declare that they, so far from having lost
by it, were absolute gainers. And though last, it was very
far from the least of these triumphs to see the meeting
attended by so very large a number of ladies. We have,
and always have had great faith in female influence. We
do no not doubt its power of carrying any cause to

w hen such nign triumph there was hem, as ne'er was held bcfc
The day the foot of England's Queen the soil of Gallia prest,
Her welcome ringing through the land, a nation's honoured gu
A victory that day was won, unstained by blood or tears,
O'er prejudice and jealousies and hatred of long years.
That day beheld dispersed the ling'ring clouds of error's night,
The advent of the true and real—the triumph of the right.
What falsehoods perished on that day, what memories of the I
What smoldering ashes of old strife were scattered to the blase
The day two generous peoples met, that foes had been too lon
Aroused at length to learn how each had done the other wro7
That day a brighter future dawned upon those nations `wai'
That now shall be the prayer of both, may never set aF ;,n
First of thy race—Victoria—it was reserved for the the

The dawning of that wished-for day, that better time to see
'Twas thine to land in peaceful state, on that once hostile sh
Thy kingly sires with fire and sword had wasted long before
'Twas thine to pass in triumph o'er the sunny plains of Fral
Where they had moved in dark array of serried shield and 1
Where they had pealed the note of war and battle's loud ala

.nt gay, mid greetin

'Twas thine to pass in pas,., . deep and war
'Twas thine to win the bloodless trophies of a nobler field,
'Twas thine to wear those brighter spoils their arms could ni

. -
The homage of a race that once the name of foeman bore,
The tribute of a nation's friendship won for evermore.
'Twas thine to hear that thrilling cry, first heard since Franc
been, _ _

That hailed the name of Albion, and Albion's island Queen,
In that auspicious hour 'twas thine to play that nobler part,
So worthy of thy Queenly grace and gentler woman's heart,
'Twas thine to break the last worn link of error's hated chain
And set two peoples free that ne'er shall thus be bound again
The genius of the scene wert thou, that high presiding stood,
And seal'd the sacred bond of peace and nation's brotherhood

John Bul,

Sept. 184