Star.
London, England, 1818-10-14 00:00:00

MANUFACTUR iv'G DISTRICT S:

The following is an Extract from a Letter, oe-'
ceived from Preston, by a respectablis Mercantile
!louse In Manchester:
" In my last I apprised you of the flatness of the
muslin trade, (which forms so considerable a portion
of the business carried on here) and the fears that
were entertained that the manufacturers would be
compelled to reduce th'2 wages of their workmen,—
I since learn that there is too much reason to fear
that this disagreeable measure must take place.—
Every one pities the situation of the poor workmen,
anions whem.this intelligence has spriai the most
eniversal gloom and melancholy, Their wages were
already confessedly too low, and they were only kept
from again turning out in a body, by the confident
hopes they, entertained of a speedy and considerable
advance. The blood chills in my veins when I reflect
on the miseries these poor creatures have for many
years endured, and with a patience that has procu-
red them universal commiseration. 'Thousands of
them are actually worse fed than the swine and cattle
of the country :—.Water-porridge (made of oatmeal
and water), with no other addition than a little salt,
forms, in many cases, their only food. I had myself
occasion to visit the cottage of an industrious weaver 11
near this town, last week ; the family consisted of
the husband, his wife, and five children. It was the
hour of dinner, and I found them all eagerly partak-
ing of this slender food : they assured me that they
were unable to procure either bacon or butchers'-
meat, and that water-porridge was their constaut
fare, morning, noon, and tight. c Alas, Sir,' said
the poor man, there was a tune (pointing to an
empty rack at the top of the house) when we could
have cut our own bacon, and have contemplated with
pleasure a live stock in the yard, growing up to sup-
ply the place of what we were consuming. Now, we
can neither procure meat nor cheese, What you see
us now partaking of, with a little tea on Sundays,
forms our only food ;—yet, I bless GOD, my children
all continue healthy, and will, I trust, live to see
better days:—Surely this is not the way in which
a man ought to live, who is constantly toiling at his
business, and whose exertions contribute so largely
to uphold the prosperity of his country. If it be pos-
sible to ameliorate the condition of this patient and
long-suffering body of men, no time shouts! be lost
in endeavouring to bring about so desirable a mei,
sure ; but as matters now are, I candidly confess I
see no hopefor thens I

" We are kept in a constant state of alarm, in the
expectation of another, and a more general turn-out
among the weavers, Rumour again states that the
present week has boon fixed on by tbism, to make
annther effort to carry their point With their em-
ployers. Be this as it may, I knew that every pris
cautionary measure has been taken, by those whom
Ire consider as the conservators of the public peace,
to maintain and secure tranquillity ; and from the
number of troops we have here, and in the neigh-
bourhood, there would be no want of military aid,
should circumstances, unfortunately, render it
ne-
sessary."

Extract from a Private Lotter from Manchester,
dated 12th October :

It will be recollected, that when the weavers of
this and the neighbouring towns turned-via for an
advance of wages, about two months ago, some Of
the masters agreed to raise their wages 4s. in the
' pound ; and hopes were then held out to them, that
❑n addition of 3s. in the pound more would be given
them as soon as possible. I now learn, with regret,
that the': masters have this day informed them that
they most be under the necessity of immediately re-
ducing their wages ! Whether they are to have the
whole of the late advance taken off, or only a part,
have not yet been able to learn ; but will inform
you of all particulars in my next.—Whatever neces-
sity may have -arisen for this measure, it is to be
deeply deplored; the wretched low wages these poor
men receive, demand immediate angmentation, in-
stead of any reduction. The consequence will be an
alarming increase of poor levies throughout the
whole of this populous district."

A dating attack was made last night, at the early
hour of ten o'clock, by a gang of thieves, upon the
Rev. Mr. VICKERY, Curate of St. Paul, Covent-gar-
den, as he was passing that end of St. Martin's-court
next to Leicester-square. After giving him a violent
push, one of the villains snatched his gold watch,
with gold chain and two valuable gold seas, put of
his pocket, and ran off with it ; but, upon the cry of
" Stop thief Y' being made, he was pursued into Bear-
street, and, with another of the gang, secured, and
taken to the Watch-house. The fellow threw away
the watch as soon as he was taken, and it was picked
up by a person passing at the time.

Sunday se'nnight, a young couple attended at
the Parish Church of Leeds, for the purpose of being
married. The ceremony had already commenced,
when rise intended bridegroom, after apparently de-,
liberating fora moment or two, exclaimed, " I think
I'll not -ha'e thee, a'ter all !" and immediately left
the Church. The situation of the fair one, thus de-
serted, may be readily conceived.
Friday, the Rev. CittEs POWELL, of Acrice, was
convicted before WiLtrAm Daeries, 12.41. in the pe-'
malty of £2O, for snaring a hare am a Sunday !
Yesterday morning William Eldec, a poor old man,
who was employed at Mr. I"A.strcitEit'sltilialf, Wap-
ping, while in the act of standing on a scaffolding, by
some means his foot slipped, he fell to the &pound,
and was killed on the spot.
Monday night, as Mr. WILLIAMS, of Brook street,
Ratcliffe, was sitting in the parlour, conversing with
his daughter, he fell back And expired without a groan.