Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-07-28

Hard Times" i'm England.
There is doubtless a certain measure of
comfort in the reflection that we are not
worse of than other people; and If ii were
only 10 show that this country is not pass
ing through exceptional experiences or at
least has not been singled out from the ma
tions of the world 10 undergo extraordinary
suToring-it would be worth while to con-
slider the fact that Europe, as well as Amer
lea, is feeling the pressure of "hard times"
The condition OF affairs, now so long and
50 painfully familiar 10 business men in
this country, is not wholly ascribable 10 the
evil influences attendant upon the war, or
10 the insecurity arising from a debased
aud nuctuating currency; but it is, TO
certain extent, part OF the general reflex
movement which has swept over the mar
kets of the world, and by whose influence
nearly all Of the great trade centres have
been more or less affected. In England
particularly, there are many manifesto
tons Of business depression, indicating not
merely that trade is stagnant and margins
small, but that there is positive distress
among the laboring classes and people Of
moderate incomes. The London Specta-
tor, in a recent issue, draws painful but
we have no reason to believe exaggerated
picture, of the present condition OF affairs
among the middle and lower classes of the
English people. Furniture dealers, for ex-
ample, protest that they can soil only the
most ordinary goods; letters of furnished
houses complain that half London Is on
their hands and clerks are suffering most
lamentably. Certain classes OF tradesInen,
as hallers, tai!ors, booksellers, watchmak-
ers and dealers in fancy goods, feel the
pressure more severely than others, be-
cause the first operations Of retrenchment
are quite naturally upon the Ornamentals
aud non. essentials OF life. For the same
reason, certain classes of work men aud SER
wants are more generally out OF employ
ment than others. Grooms, buffers and
footmen, and like appendages Of luxury,
find their occupation gone, aud in a multi
tude of cases cannot dispose Of their servic-
es at any price. Being thrown out Of en-
| ployment, they lapse frequently into utter
destitution, having nothing TO which they
can turn their hands. Two thousand coach
mon out of employ are on the books of
| single firm In London. All these classes
whose living depends on the expenditure
| of surplus income are growing wretchedly
| despondent. "Another year Of insecurity,
dislrust aud low dividends" the Spectator
observes, twill produce as much misery in
| England as bad harvest did in the olden
time, though 1t will not produce deaths by
starvation or rioting in the streets" 1t
may even be questioned whether this linn
itation will hold good, for according to the
official returns lately presented TO the
| House of Commons, there were forty-six
deaths by starvation in tho Metropolitad
district alone during the year 1875.
Only day or two since we had cable
dispatch from London which brought in
telligencc OF triple disaster TO the English
working classes. 1t stated, in the first
| place, that the analgamated masters in
| North and Northeast Lancashire have de-
cided 10 run four days instead of six, and
have also resolved upon a reduction Of
wages, intending, if these changes are re-
sisted, to lock out their workmen. 1t is
stated in the second place, that the cotton
spuners and manufacturers Of the same
district have decided upon a reduction in
the wages of cotton operatives of 10 per
cent, and that this reduction, when made,
will affect from fifty 10 sixty Thousand
workmen. 1t stated in the third place,
that the miners of the Wigan and Tyldenley
districts, had come out on a strike in con-
sequence OF a reduction OF Is per cent. in
their wages, but although the miners as
well as their masters were represented as
very resolute, it was expected that the
former would yield on account of the trade
being much depressed. These three dis
NAL announcements were put within the
compass of few lines, but it is impossible
even TO estimate the amount Of actual dis
aster and suffering they represent
Other facts might be multiplied, II II were
necessary, TO indicate the way and the ex-
tent to which the prevailing business de-
preston is felt in England and upon the
Continent. This condition of affairs springs
from mutide of causes which 1t would be
useless 10 attempt to anslyze or explain.
Tho world is so linked together that pros
perity or adversely at one point operates
upon others. 1t is enough to know that
we are not alone In business anxieties and
troubles; that sit is long lane that has no
turnlng;" and that when change for the
better does come the prospect for rapid re-
covery and increased prosperity is better
in this country of large resources and free
government than any where else in the
| ,rnplI