The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-12-29

in New. England is parallel with Dickens Coke.
town. The Rev. Dr.. Osgood, Of New York. in
his admirable book OF personal "reminiscences
"Mile Stones In Lies Journey "-remarks Of his
former pastoral charge; "There IS in many quar-
tiers deposition 70 undera,c the population d
our manufacturing towns. But fair observation
must satisfy any candid man, that those towns
certainly in New England, have their full share o.
intelligence aud character. mingled very freely
with the operatives Of every grade, and had u oon
siderable number Of them 10 the parish. Il /,
simple truth 10 say, that Ihays nerr knoicn q
more exemplary dau Of prsons."
This testimony is in the main confirmed by the
ministers Of Lowell, Of Manchester, and Other
places whose population is to gr-at exten, made
up Of operatives in the factones that have given
10 those cities their life. The statistics Of moral
lily in such places ore altogether more favorable
than in commercial cities. The substitution o.
foreign operatives for the daughters Of New Eng
land farmers, and the introduction Of theatrica
Entertainments into some Of these cities, Is fast
deierioraiiny the population. But VIC think the
average morulny Of such towns is above that Of
New York aud Boston.
But there are other respects m which our factory
system Is far from being perfect. There is ye,
ample room for the elevation Of operatives in the
substantial comforts and the graceful amenities d
life, and in general Intelligence aud morality
The current Of public opinion, guided by Chris
tian philanthropy, sets strongly in that direction
but the grea, problem is, how to combine Nh.
highest produc,iveness Of labor with the larses
consideration for the physical, social, and mora
wants VI The Isborer. This experiment Is now
making on great scale, at the new Pacific Mill'
in tho city Of Lawrence, Mass. Those mills
when completed, will not only be the largest Ii
the United States, but win exceed the dimension,
and capacity Of Mr.. Salts min, at Bradford. The
main building, when finished, will be seven sto
ries high and eight hundred feel long, and vii
contain ons hundred tAonsand spindlIs. The ex
terror Of the quadrangle measure l, coo feet II
length. These buildings are oil constructed will
reference 10 the safety health, and comfort Of thu
operatives; ventilation, warming, and cleanliness
being studied al every point. Some fifteen hun
dred persons will be constantly employed upor
the premises. and the utmost pains is taken to nd
nit into this large and close community only per
sons Of respectable character. The rates Of wa
ges arc as highas ut any mandatory in New
England, and the boarding houses Of the opera
ltves are buin with a manifest regard TO healti
and comfort. The town is laid out upon libera
scale, with public walks, parks, and other sanator,
arrangements.
The superintendent Of the Pacific Mills 10 en-
tirely in the hands OF Christian men, who regart
the moral culture Of the operatives as Of the frs
importance, both for the welfare Of the operatives
themselves, and for the success Of the establish
men,. Among other plans for the benefit Of The
Operatives, is one altogether novel, but Of wis
forethought and OF much promise. ..
A large hall has been constructed over the Off
ces of the company, for the express use Of the op
eratives in social gatherings, concerts, Lectures
This hall was recently opened with social fes,i
val, and il was our privilege to deliver the first
free lecture within Its walls, TO a company o.
abou, SIX hundred. None bu, the operatives in
the Pacific Mills, with their families, arc admitted
to the privileges Of the hail. II was an interesting
spectacle TO see so large a company, fresh from
the loom, gathered in their neat attire for litera
~ recreation, giatui,pusly furnished BY the propri
eiors OF the mills. The effect Of these social and
literary gatherings must be eminen,ly happy upon
.,f In