The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-19 00:00:00

woollen, and worsted factories ; in the latter the
principal increase has been in cotton and silk fac-
tories—the aggregate increase in the first being
14'2 per cent., and in the latter 66.0. The
localities in which the increase has taken place
have varied, we are told, considerably; and the
report points out the migration, as it were, of
trades from one part of the country to another.
The increase of factories between 1838 and 1856
.has been 900, and of this increase Lancashire
claims 360, Yorkshire 344, Cheshire 38, Not-
tingham 46, and Warwick 71. The cotton fac-
tories in the counties of Lanark (Glasgow), Ren-
frew (Paisley), and Antrim have decreased by 52.
The woollen trade is becoming concentrated in
Yorkshire, there being an increase in the
number of woollen factories in the
rious ridings during a like period of 200,
while in Cornwall, Devon, Wales, and elsewhere,
there has been a decrease of 82. The worsted
manufacture is almost exclusively confined to
Yorkshire. In Worcester, however, the worsted
trade has been considerably extended. The flax
trade flourishes more vigorously in Ireland than
in any other part of the United Kingdom. The
increase of flax-factories in Antrim, Armagh,
Down, and Tyrone, in the like period, amounts tc
59 ; while both in England and Scotland there
has been a decrease. The number of silk-facto-
ries has increased. The increase above spoken of
is numerical, and does not include the increase of
power, which is 59'366 between 1838 and 1856.
Great. however, as this is, it is much below the
actual additional force practically available and in
motion for manufacturing purposes. The number
of persons employed bears exactly the same pro-
portion for nominal horse-power as in 1838 and
1850, though there has been a vast extension of
trade. This is owing to machinery. As many
persons (800,000) are now dependent, it is be-
lieved, on the power-loom as were in 1838 on
the hand-loom ; and wages • are better and
steadier. The number of power-looms in 1836
(when they were chiefly used for cotton fabrics)
was 115,801 ; the number in 1856 was 369,205.
The number of spindles has increased in a greater
proportion either than the number of factories or
the power employed in spinning-factories. In
weaving-factories there is a tendency to the exten-
sion of the trade among many occupiers rather than
a concentration of it among a few. The extent of
the increased power of production partly appears
from the fact, that if the woollen and worsted fac-
tories in 1856 had produced in the same proportion
as in 1850, the value of the exports would
have been 7,800,000/. instead of ten millions—
the actual average of the three years ending 1855.
As to the employment of hands there has been a
decrease of one-half of the number of children
under 13 years of age, although two children are
now required to do the work of one in 1835 ; a
small decrease of boys between 13 and 18 years
of age, and an increase of the proportion of fe-
males above thirteen years of age, chiefly in flax,
cotton, and worsted factories. The largest pro-
portion of children is employed in worsted fac-
tories. An increase is reported in the number of
men employed in the latter factories, owing, in
some measure it is thought, to the prices of
country wool being now very generally employed
in the factories. In conclusion, the facts brought
out by this Return-appear to be that the factory
system is increasing rapidly, that fewer hands are
employed in proportion to the machinery, though
n the horse power, than at former periods, that
the steam engine is enabled to drive an increased
weight of machinery by economy of force and
other methods, and 41...4 v.. ialt.a.vciavil quantity of
work can be turned off by improvements in ma-
chinery and in methods of manufacture by in-
crease of speed of the machinery, and by a variety
of other causes. It may be well to add that the
number of accidents from machinery during the
six months ending 31st October, 1856, was 1,919
I —1,037 males and 822 females.'

A Cabinet Council was held yesterday afternoon at
the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury
in Downing-street. Present—Viscount Palmerston the
Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville, the Marquis of Lans-
downe, the Earl of Harrowby, Sir George Grey, the Earl
of Clarendon, Mr. Secretary Labouchere, Lord Pan-
inure, the Chancellovreronfotnhse
mEity,huourder,sStairnlCey.
ofW oAodl.,
thederleßyi,gthhteHßonig.l2llt. Hon. Mr. Baines, and the Duke of
Argyll.
- -

The marriage of Miss Whitshed, eldest daughter of
Sir St. Vincent Whitshed, with Colonel Bentinck, took
p!ace yesterday, at St. George's Church, Harover-
square, in the presence of a select circle of the friends of
both families.
Lord Aveland is expected is town to-day from Stock-
ton Hall, Lincolnshire.
Lady Peel is expected' in town to-day.
Sir William and Lady Middleton are expected in town
this week from Shrubland Hall, Suffolk.
The Right Hon. Mrs. Vernon Smitb gave an evening
party last night at her residence in Saville-row.
ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.--We understand that Mr.
Gye will commence his next operatic campaign, at Drury
Lane Theatre, on the 14th April.
DRURY-LANE THEATRE.—The tide of popularity which
has set towards "Old Drury " since Christmas will be
turned to the advantage of Boleno, the' popular clown
of the establishment, by all who visit the national theatre
to-morrow evening, selected for the benefit of this clever
artiste. In addition to the ordinary attraotions of the
programme, several special novelties are announced for
this occasion.

ST. MARTIN'S Inee.--The fourth of the perform-
ances of sacred music for the present season, under
the direction of Mr. Hullah, took place last night.
Highly and deservedly attractive as the three pre.
vious concerts bad been, that of last night was, if
possible, still more successful. We have never heard
the choral music of any oratorio given with greater
precision or effect than were some of the finer pieces in
"Judas Maccabeus" last night. The members of Mr.
Hullah's first upper singing school may now take
their place without fear by the side of the best
trained choruses of any institution. The conclud-
ing chorus of the first part, " Rear us, 0 Lord !"
left nothing to be desired. The magnificent com-
positions, "We never will bow down," and the
"Hallelujah, Amen," were equally deserving of the
highest commendation. The soloists were Madame
Rederedorff, Miss Palmer, Miss Banks, Miss Moss,
Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Dawson.
The ball was densely crowded in every part ; and,
as at the previous performance of "The Elijah," num-
bers of persons were unatle to obtain admission.
EAST Sussux.—The new writ for East Sussex was
issued on Tuesday evening. A very close contest will
take place between Mr. Dodsonsand Lord Pevensey.
COLCHESTER ELECTION.—The nomination of a candi-
date for the representation of this borough, vacant by
the resignation of Lord John Manners, is appointed to
take place en Monday next.
A correspondent informs us that the return of Mr.
Wegnelin, the member for Southampton, will be peti-
tioned against, on the grounds that some of the polling.
booths were closed before 4 o'clock p.m., and because
the polling was suspended in one of the booths owing to
the absence of the returning officer.
PONTEFRACT.—Mr. Wiliam Wood, of Monkhill, is
about to be brought forward as a candidate for the re-
presentation of Pontefract at the nex'; election, in oppo-
sition to Mr. Oliveira, The latter gentleman,
however,
will, with confidence, appeal to his constituents when
the necessary time arrives for renewing his term of repre-
sentation.
EGYPT AND Ma BIBLE.—A course of three lectures
on Esypt and the Bible is advertised in another page to
be delivered at Crosby Hall, by Mr. John Gaisby,
author of " Wanderings in the East." The lectures
possess the elements of success, and we are glad to learn,
from what we from time to time see in•the country
papers, that success is everywhere attending them, and
we aro sure the more they are known the better will
they be attended.
SUDDEN DE IT$,-.—Mr. C. K. Sala died suddenly on
Tuesday night, in the New-road, Brighton, where he has
been residing with his mother, Madame Sala, well known
in musical circles. The cause of Mr. Sala's death was
apoplexy. He was about to retire to his bedroom, after
placing his boots outside the door for the servant, when
he fell forward on his facie: The servant immediately
gave an alarm, and when he was raised he was still alive,
but before medical aid could be procured life was ex-
tinct. The deceased gentleman was 34 years of age. Up
to the time of his death he was in the eejoyment of his
usual health and spirits.
THE GREEK LOAN.—From a return yesterday pub-
lished it seems that the balance due by the Greek Go-
vernment was 61,6981 58. 11d.
The first experimental trip of the London, Harwich,
and Continental Steamboat Company, from Harwich to
Rotterdam, in the Company's steamship the London
(2,298 tons), will take place on Saturday morning nut.