The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-29 00:00:00

Ito YA L NATIONAL LIFEBOAT no small pecuniary advantages to the employer?'
INSTITUTION.—The Committee of this Institution
earnestly APPEAL tJ the public for PECUNIARY ASSIST-
ANCE to aid them to meet the present heavy demands on
the limited funds of the Society. It has now 103 lifeboats, this was accomplished by the diffusion of k eow-
some of which saved last year 227 persons from shipwreck. ledge—by discussion, by respectful representations
THOMAS BARING, Chairman.
THOMAS CHAPMAN, Deputy-Chairman. to masters, by meetings to which respectable public
14, John-street, Adelphi, W.C., May, 1860.
Bankers—Messrs. Willis and Co. ; Coutts and Co.; llerries speakers, frequently clergymen of different deno-
2nd Co.
minations were invited, by the willing aid of the
newspaper press, in one word, by purely moral
means. Had all the shopmen and clerks through-
out London, struck for " early closing" they would
have Inflicted immense loss on their masters and
on themselves, have irritated the public by a wan-
ton interference with its habits and convenience,
have entailed lasting misery on thousands of decent
families, and instead of " better and friendlier feel-
ings between the employers and the employed" there
would have remained heartburnings which would
have died out only with the present generation.
' The men say, "In making this fresh present-
ment of our desire for the nine hours' movement,
we are confident that a more careful and impartial
consideration of the subject will induce you to come
to the conclusion, that your interests as employers
will not be seriously affected by the concessien of the
nine hours' boon to the earnest and respectful soli-
citation of the men engaged in your establishments.
On the other hand, we are equally confident that
the condition of the workmen, physically, morally,
and intellectually, will be greatly improved through
the effects of the proposed reduction."
If this be true, as it has proved true, in
regard to many other departments of business,
it is the very case for a full and fair discussion.
In that of the shopmen the same argument was
strongly urged. Many masters were convinced.
Those who were, began to act on their convic•
tion. Others followed. Argument and example
has done all that has been yet effected. In this
short memorial it was of course impossible to do
more than open the case; Let the men now set
to in good earnest to prove their points. They
may be quite sure that no master has any
preference for ten hours if nine hours will
serve his purpose as well. The majority of
the masters well know what labour is by experi-
ence. They have risen from the trowel to the con-
tractor's desk ; they can fully comprehend the proofs,
if proofs there be, that they shall finish a house
as cheaply if the masons work but nine hours each
as if they work ten. It may be so. We do not
understand the case practically ; but our friend Mr.
POTTER must own that the assertion is one pre-
eminently needing proof. To the uninitiated it
seems impossible. If the men offered to work nine
hours for one-tenth less wages, we could of course
comprehend that that might be an advantage to
the masters, though we are not sure that it would
be. But if the masters are to pay one-tenth more
—if every house which now costs them £l,OOO to
build, is to cost them £l,lOO, it seems to us that
they must in the long xun be losers. If the cost
were increased 10 per cent., the demand would be
lessened 10 per cent.—so every believer in ADAM
SMITH would say—and Mr. POTTER should at
once inaugurate a vigorous discussion on this
point. Let him prove that the masters' interests
will not suffer, .and he will have both masters I
and the public with him.
Above all, let the Union men renounce for ever
the un-English tyranny by which some of their
number injured their cause last year. It is per-
fectly fair that workmen should combine in any
way they please—that they should combine in
such numbers as to be able to demand what they
think fair wages ; what is not fair, and what
neither law nor society will tolerate, is that they
should dictate to their fellow-workman for what
wages he shall work. They have no moral right
to force a man to join their union. If they can
convince him of its advantages, it is all right. But
to abuse and blackball him because he finds it advan-
tageous to work for lower wages than themselves, or
because he prefers the rewards of labour to the allow-
ance of a club or of the parish, is inexcusable interfer-
ence with the freedom and rights of others. It may
be alleged that his conduct lOwers the general
wages. To which it may be answered—lst, No
individual is bound to injure or ruin himself that
others may get the same pay for nine hours which
he is willing to take for ten. 2d, If the number of
those who will work the longer time, or what
is identical with it, take the lower pay, is but small,
they will not tell upon the general rate of wages.
But idly, If the number be large, then it shows
that lower wages are justified by the state of the
labour market, and it is cruelty to deprive so many
of the wages they would be thankful to earn.
If, however, the men would have the public
sympathy, let them avoid strikes. Let them
work on and discuss. A year or two, or more
than that, is really but a trifle in a great move-
ment. A few years longer work on the old terms
will hurt no one. We should advise the men to
maintain themselves and their families yet awhile
on their present comfortable wages, and it will
be with our heartiest good will if they
can satisfy the public and their masters that
the same wages had better be paid for nine hours'
work than ten. We are all too ready to imagine
that others must see the strength of our arguments
as clearly as we do ourselves. But we must give
each other time. The masons have appealed to the
example of the early closing movement, let them
follow it and all will be right. They have appealed
to their masters' interest as better promoted by
nine hours' work than by ten, let them establish
that and their object is attained.

BESSON'S WATC H E S.
" Perfection of mechanism."—Morning Post.
Gold
Silver 2to 50 guineas.
Send 2 stamps for Benson's Illustrated Pamphlet, descr'p-
tive of every construction of watch now made, with their
prices.
Watches sent to all parts of the kingdom free by post, or to
India and the Colonies for ss. extra.
33 and 34, Ludgate-hill, London, E.C. Established 1749.

TH EATRE-ROYAL, HAYMARKET,
Lessee, Mr. J. B. Bnekstone.

THIS EVENING, THE FAMILY SECRET. Messrs.
Chippendale, Howe, W. Farren, Villiers, Buckstone, Mrs. B.
White, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, Mrs. Wilkins, and Miss Amy
Eedgwick.
Followed by a new farce, entitled FITZSMYTHE OF
FITZSMYTHE HALL. Messrs. Bu kstone, W. Farren, and
Ewers ; Mrs. Wilkins and Miss Henrade.

To conclude with TJIE BOARDING SCHOOL.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Lessee, lir. A. Harris.
THIS EVENING, HAMLET. Mr. Phelps.
To conclude with THRICE MARRIED. Mr. Meadows,
Miss C. Leclercq, &c.

Commence at 7.

AD ELPHI, NEW THEATRE-ROYAL.
Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Benj. Webster.
He-appearance of Mr. and Mrs. A. Wigan—Third week of
the populae American Actress, Miss Julia Daly.
' THIS EVENING to commence with ITS AN ILL WIND
THAT BLOWS NOBODY GOOD. Messrs. Alfred Wigan,
J. L, Toole, Stuart, BillinE.,,ton, C. J. Smith, Ward, Mrs. A.
Wig,an, and Miss H. Simms..

After which, OUR FEMALE AMERICAN COUSIN.
Messrs. Stuart, C. Selby, Billinzton, Eburne, Miss Julia
Daly, K. Kelly, Laidlaw, and Mrs. Chatterley.

4 To conclude with GOING TO T LIE DERBY.
Box-office open from 10 till 5.
Private boxes, £2 2s. ; Family Boxes, £l.

Orchestra Stalls, ss. ; lalcony,',ls. ; Front Circle Stalls, 3s. ;
Pit Stalls, 26.; Pit, Is. 6d. ; Amphitheatre, is ; Gallery, 6d.

Acting Manazer—Mr. Wm. Smitb.

FRENCH PLAYS-ST. JAMES'S THEATRE,
Director, M. TALEXY.
DUVERGER.— M. BRINDEALT.
Mardi, 29 Mai, PAR DROIT DE CONQUETE : M.
Brindeau jouera George Bernard.
LES ETOILES DE PARIS (Prologue et Ouverture com-
pose specialement pour Ic Theatre St. James, par MM. Charles
Poter et Lambert Dennery) : l' A dministt ateur, 31. Roland ;
St. Phar, 31. Briet ; le Genie, Mdlle. Marie Thsta.
()rare: 1. LES ETOILES DE PARIS-2. LE CIIEVEU
BLANC-3. PAR DROIT CONQUETE.
Chef d'Orchestre, 31. Cadaux ; Directeur de la Scene, M.
Lambert Dennery.
Prices of Admission—Orchestra Stalls, 7s. 6d. ; Balcony
Stalls, ss. ; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, Is.
Les bureaux ouyriront it 71 heures : on commencera it 8
heures.

A STLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.—
Proprietor, Mr. W3I. BATTY.
Powerful `Attraction for the Holidays. Three Grand
Mid-day Performs- .ces during the Whitsuu Holidays, viz.—
(To-day), Tuesdaf,r9ch, Thursday, 31st, and Saturday, June
2d. The Entertainments will consist of a Recherché Display
of Equestrian Performances and a Light pleasing Drama-
tic Piece ; commencing each day at Two o'Clock.
'1: ais EVENING,
The Grand Hippo Drama, " TulL HISTORY OF A FLAG."
Wondrous Scenes in the Cirque, supported by the most
tale's ted Equestrian and Gymnastic Artistes in the World.
Concluding with a Laughable Farce.
The magnificent Chan fellers manufactured by Messrs. De-
fries avid Sons, Houndsditch.
Doo: s open at half-past 6, performance commence at 7.
Box-office open daily from 11 till 4.
Stage Manager—Mr. W. WEST.

CANTERBURY HALL
THIS EVENING,
C. 11. GOUNUD'S OPERA,
FAUST.
first Time in this Country.
]'aust Mr. Henry Herbert.
Mephistopheles M C. Bernard.
Siobel Mrs. Anderson.
Marguerite
Conductor Mr. Jonghmans.
And selections from
Dinorah, Trovatore, Macbeth, and numerous other
Entertainments.
Balcony, is, Hall. Cd.
Comic Vocalists —Messrs. George Hodson (the Irish Come-
dian and Mimic), and W. T. Critchfield.
The AFRICAN OPERA TiiOUPE, their first appearance
since 1852, consisting of ELEVEN STAR PE RFOrtMERS,
who will give the whole of their inimitable entertainment
every evening.
The gallery is open from 5 till II on Sunday Evening.

CONCERTS.-

THE WEATHEII.—SUN OFrlcm, MAY 27, 1560.

THERMOMETER, TN THE SHADB.
C7—highest since noon yesterday.
45 —lowest this morning and during the night.
:.S—this day at noon.

B-UtOMETER-29.85.
WlND—North-Westerly; strong and squally, with fine
sunshiny weather, but cool and cloudy.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tuts DAY.—Morning, Bh. 31m.—Afternoon, 9h. 6m.
To-moßnow.-Morning, 9h. 39m.—Afternoon, 10h. 11m.

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THE SUN,

LONDON, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 1860.

The united building trades have re-commenced
the nine hours' agitation. They have published an
address, and a well written one, to the Central
Association of Master Builders. The case on one
side is, therefore, again before the public, since, we
presume, by the publication of their memorial,
they mean to invite the expression of public opinion.
The first step the men have thus taken they have
taken wisely and well. We mean that their mode
of seeking to obtain their object is the proper one.
Public opinion is a power in these days, and one in
a free country to which all classes must ulti-
mately yield. The master builder may, indeed,
say to some friend who asks him why he cannot
concede the hour requested, that he himself knows
his o-.vn business best, and that his friend cannot
comprehend it. But his friend sees workmen, sees
other masters, becomes " up" in the question, and
next time he meets his friend in the brick and
mortar line, he discusses the matter with him on
more equal terms. Benevolent men take their
kind of interest in the subject. Educationists dis-
cuss it from their point of view. Sanatory
reformers have their notions concerning it.
Newspaper editors receive information from all
parties ; the gist of the question becomes
at last quite clear, and the public mind becomes
pretty well made up. When it does so, the right
generally prevails.
But let the men, and the masters too, beware of
outrunning public opinion. Both, as is now con-
fessed, did so on the last occasion of a similar
demand. If the men are confident of a good cause,
our advice to them is—have patience, and you must
prevail. All the masters in the kingdom cannot
resist you if you resort to moral means only.
Try, we say, the power of knowledge. It
can vanquish the strongest association., Never
was there in history a stronger combination than
that of the landlords to retain a tax en your daily
bread. The L._l9gU3 diffused knowledge on the sub-
ject far and wide ; they forced it even into farm-
houses, landlords' manors, and the corn-halls of
agricultural towns. Knowledge overthfew the
bread tax; it has overthrown the taxe3 which used
to enhance the price of almost everything you afc ;
it has reduced very largely the taxes on all you
drink, and will eventually abolish them too. Even
the Emperor• of the FRENcu quails before European
opinion.

As to our national defences here, in England,
they are at last and in real earnest being cared for,
after all our apathy and procrastination. Although
we are at this present time at peace with all the
nations of the earth, save only the Chinese, we are,
in the midst of this almost universal tranquillity,
expending within the year £30,000,000 upon our
military and maritime departments alone. We are
none of us disposed any longer to rest contented as
tee did • for so many years upon such-defences as
might be represented under the heads of "martello
totters" and " militia"—the latter for the most
unembodied. We have at last a noble Channel
Fleet, and one that is kept continually upon the
alert, erubing about the Channel. We have a
better order of things than has been known for
years and years past secured to us both at the
horse Guards and at the Admiralty. Our
Ordnance Department is advancing, under the
nidance of men like WHITWORTH and AMISTRONG,
to.results that would have been deemed little less
than miraculous in a former generation. We have,
railways, gridironing the island in all directions,
capable of concentrating our troop; upon any
given point with astonishing rapidity. We have,
moreover, the electric telegraph threading the land
hither and thither, and bringing the remotest
p arts of it into instantaneous communication with
each other. And now, iu aid of all these means of
defence—in aid of the royal navy, in aid of the
regular army, we have (after sowing no dragon's
teeth) seen starting up at one; at the first blast as
it were of that ringing clarion note, the call of
Patriotism —we Lava =am start forth from the ranks
' of the civilians, fully armed and accoutred for
the national defence, 80,0Z.0, or rather by this
time close upon 100,000 Rifle Volunteers.

The men appeal to what ha's been done in other
departments with regard to shorteni
ng hours of
in this conviction •
work. They say, ice are fully
sustained by the results of similar reductions of
daily toil in other departments of industry,
In
London, and generzlly throughout the provinces,
the clerks and warehousemen have agitated for a
very considerable shortening of the hours of work.
Their efforts have been completely successful, and
the result has been an immense rill to the men,
swiMout 1.71(3 sh:l7t!est loss to the masters. On the
contrary, the establishment of better and friendlier
feelings between the employers and the employed
has not only conduced to the greater comfort of
the parties, but -las: ,been • productive of,

It is not so very long ag.-1 either that hardly any-