The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-28 00:00:00

LORD SHAFTESBURY AT MANCHESTER.

The Earl of Shaftesbury having accepted an invita-
tion to attend a meeting of the Yowl,' Men's Christian
Association at Manchester on Tuesday evening, the
operatives connected with th 6 late short-tithe movement
availed themselves of the opportunity of waiting upon
his Lordship to confer with him upon the nature of
Colonel Wilson Patten's bill for amending the law re-
lating to the fencing of machinery. Tim interview
took place at the Albion Hotel, Manchester, on Mon-
day evening. The operatives expressed themselves desi-
rous of throwing no obstacles in the way of the proposed
measure so far as it referred to the modification of the
law affecting machinery, but appeared to have a`vague
idea that advantage might be taken of the opportunity
for smuggling into the bill provisions at variance with
the Ten Hours' Act. The noble earl said the bill had
not been printed when he left town, but from what he
had heard; it had nothing unreasonable in its provisions,
and did not contemplate any disturbance of the provi-
sions of the Ten Hours' Act ; and so long as that was
the case he would advise them rather to assist than
oppose any measures calculated to promote the interests
of their employeri.
The Earl of Shaftesbury afterwards proceeded to a
meeting of short-time delegates, at the C Aton tree Inn,
Ancoats, at which about 200 men and women were
also present, where Mr. Paul Hargraves having taken
the chair, Mr. Thomas Maudesley read an address,
thanking his Lordship for the services he had ren-
dered to the factory operatives by his advocacy of a
restriction of the hours of labour. "Of the many
advantages (says the address) which we continue t) de-
rive from the opera'ion of this salutary measure, it is
unnecessary for us to say more than to assure your
Lordship that all the beneficial results foretold by
its promoters are now being realised by those who avail

themselves of the opportunities which it affords for re•
creation as well as for intellectual and moral instruction.
If our improvement as a body of operatives has been less
rapid and less distinctly marked than might have been
expected, it is obvious that, to whatever other cause or
causes this result is attributable, it cannot be ascribed to
any defect in the measure itself, but must proceed, as it
appears to us, from a disregard of their own interests by a
portion of the workpeople themselves. Our experience,
however, encourages the hope that it will gradually dis-
appear from among us, and give place to higher views
with regard to their interests and duties as members of
society. Indeed, we flatter ourselves that the time is
not far distant when those public parks which have so
materially improved the sanitary condition of our city,
when the free library and those scientific and literary
institutions which are so great an honour to their pro-
moters—will become the general resort of the working
classes in their leisure hours, to their physical, moral,
and intellectual improvement " The Earl of Shaftes•
bury expressed his gratification at learning the good
results of the measure which he had been instrumental
in passing, and Lord Ashley afterwards briefly addressed
the meeting.
On Tuesday ravening Lord Shafteebtary addressed the
Young Men's Christian Association at the Corn Ex-
change, dwelling at some length upon the evils of what
he termed diseased commercial activity, leading to that
competition by which y.mug men in shops were taught to
make the worse appear the better article, and by which
the cu-lorner was to be seduced in a variety of ways.
He also referred to the evils arising from the too long
detention of young people in shops and other establish-
ments, lowering the whole physical system as well a•t
the moral taste and appetite, while it increased those of
an opposite tendency. A number of leading clergymen
and other inhabitants also addressed the meeting.

Sporting Intelligence.

NORTHAMPTON RACES-THURSDAY.

The Selling Plate of 40 sovs, added to a Sweepstakes of
5 sova each, for three-yr•oldi and upwards. Certain
winners extra.- Optionabielling allowances, &c. One
mile. Seven subs.