TRIUMPH OF COMMON SENSE. THE newspapers give ample testimony that the cause of the Drapers' Association proceeds most prosperously. At the annual meeting on Wednesday, over which Mr Emerson Tennent, M.P., presided, the effects of peaceful, rational agitation for a laudable purpose were most happily exemplified. The praiseworthy efforts of the drapers to diminish the sum of unnecessary toil promise to extend their beneficial con sequences over the whole surface of British industry, and the evidence afforded by many employers of high character as to the effects of shortening the hours of business, bring to the support of rational teory the conclusive, indisputable facts supplied by practical experience. It was clearly shown that those houses which had dispensed with the evening attendance, heretofore exacted, had nothing to regret; that those whom it had been their generous care to relieve had wisely occupied the leisure gained for them, by directing their attention to pursuits and recreations calculated to improve their minds, raise them in the social system, and benefit their employers.

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It had been unfeelingly urged that the time spared from business would be injuriously employed. Every advantage is capable of being abused by folly. The merciful and sublime Sabbatic institution itself, may by depraved minds be made the source of evil. Would the benevolent philosopher, therefore, propose that the relaxation of Sunday should be denied to the industrious classes of England, lest they should avail themselves of the sacred day of rest to plunge into grosser dissipation than they would otherwise know? Who at this time of day will have the heartless intrepidity to put forth such an argument? In this case we have no clique of infuriated operatives making war on their superiors. "If," say the assistants, we cannot convince those whose interests are bound up with ours by appealing to their reason and their sense of justice, for the present we are content to withdraw from the struggle." And how is this answered by their employers? Your claim," they reply, "is reasonable; we admit it, and will support you." This they do, not merely by encouraging words, but by generously subscribing to the funds of the association. Such being the case their ultimate triumph is certain, and both the superiors and the subordinates have acted with such prudence and kindly feeling, that their example cannot but have the happiest influence on others, and it is not too much to hope that an amelioration of the hard lot of many thousands unconnected with their body will be sensibly ameliorated through the energetic but

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prudent and temperate resistance they have offered to usages which had insensibly grown up to their annoyance.

Of the glorious effects of consideration for those who toil, a happy instance is afforded in the following curious and interesting article, copied from the 'London Polytechnic Magazine,' descriptive of the silk manufactory of M. Stofella, at Roveredo, by Herr Teschau.

"This establishment has gained a high reputation, not only for the quality of the silks manufactured, but for the philan thropic system upon which it is conducted. Four hundred females are constantly employed, who are not only provided with their living, but every care is taken of their education. A young girl from eleven to fourteen years of age, in poverty, who can produce a certificate of good moral conduct and health, is apprenticed from four years and a half to six years and a half under an indenture, stipulating that she shall during her apprenticeship be provided with board, lodging, clothing, and instruction in religion, as well as reading, writing, arithmetic, needle-work, and all the branches of the manufacture of silk. After the first six months every appren tice receives an annual salary of fifteen florins, which sum is placed in the savings bank of Roveredo. Those parents who are in very needy circumstances are permitted, after their daughter has been two years apprenticed, to draw an annual allowance. The proprietor himself deposits 500 florins in the bank every year for the purpose of being distributed in different awards to those whose industry and skill are found the most deserving at a public examination. In case of death the parents have a right to claim whatever funds the child may have in the bank. Upon the termination of the apprenticeship the girl is at liberty to return home, or stipulate for employment by the year (that being the shortest period for which any of them can be engaged), and receives an increase of payment according to her abilities. Those who during their apprenticeship have behaved well, and distinguished themselves, are provided at the end of their term with tools and furniture to commence business. Their occupation consists in the manufacture of all sorts of silks, and every week twenty-five of the number are alternately instructed in domestic affairs. Certain leisure hours are allowed for meals, lessons, and recreation, and when they walk out some of the teachers are appointed to accompany them. The whole establishment is conducted by Mr Stoffella, and consists of twenty superintendents; viz., one director, one vice-director, six teachers, and twelve overseers.

OF NINETY-EIGHT.

THE affecting prayer for mercy of a poor misled gentleman who was implicated in the rebellion of 1798, lately appeared in the Mirror.' The appeal was in vain, and the unfortunate man suffered the last penalty of the law. We now give a narrative of the severity exercised by the insurgents, when in power at Wexford, from 'Musgrave's Memoirs.' It will serve to inspire a lively horror of civil war.

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On Monday morning, the 4th of June, a man of the name of Murphy was shot for having given information against rebels. His executioners were three Protestant prisoners, Charles Jackson, Jonas Gurley, and Kennet Matthewson. Edward Fraine, a man of some opulence, and who was supposed to gain 300 a year as a tanner, was officer of the guard. When the executioners were brought into the yard Fraine addressed C. Jackson, and had the following conversation with him:-Mr Jackson, I believe you know what we want of you.' He answered, 'Yes, I suppose I am to die.' He then fell upon his knees and begged that he might be allowed to go to see his wife and child. Fraine swore be should not, and informed him that a man was to die that evening at six o'clock, and that he did not know any more proper person to execute him than he, and the two others. He added that 'he supposed he could have no objection to the business.' Jackson replied, Sir, should I have no objection to commit murder?' Fraine said, 'You need not talk about murder if you make any objection you shall be put to death; but if you do your business properly, you may live two or three days longer; so I expect you will be ready this evening at six o'clock.' Another rebel captain insultingly addressed him in the following manner :-'If you could get a few orange ribbons to tie round your neck during the execution, it would, I think, have a pretty appearance.' The executioners were remanded to their cells, where they remained praying till six o'clock in the evening, when they were brought again into the gaol yard, where they found the prisoner Murphy surrounded by about a thousand armed rebels.

They proceeded to the place of execution, which was about a mile and a half off, at the other side of the bridge. The procession was in the following order :A large body of horsemen who formed a hollow square, a black flag, the drum and fifes; Murphy, the convict, marched next, followed by Jackson, with Gurley and Matthewson behind him. When the 'Dead March' was struck up and beat till they arrived at the spot where the victim was to fall a sacrifice to their fanatical ven

geance; he was placed on his knees close to the river, and with his back to it. Previously to the execution the rebels knelt down and prayed for about five minutes. The rebels were ordered to form a semicircle with an opening towards the water. Charles Jackson asked permission to tie his cravat about the poor man's eyes; but they desired him not to be nice about such particulars as it would be his own case in a few minutes. When the muskets were called for, it was suggested that if they gave three at once to the executioners they might turn about and fire at them. It was then resolved that they should fire one at a time. Matthewson, the first person appointed to shoot, missed three times. They gave him another musket, with which he shot Murphy in the arm. Jackson was next called upon, and as they suspec ed that he would turn and fire on them, two men with cocked pistols, and two men with cavalry swords, were placed behind, who threatened him with instant death if he missed the mark. He fired, and the poor man instantly fell dead; after which Gurley was obliged to fire at the body while prostrate on the ground. It was then proposed that Jackson should wash his hands in his blood, but it was overruled, as some of the rebels said he had done his business well. A ring was then formed round the body, and a song in honour of the Irish republic was sung to the tune of God save the Queen.'

"The dreadful business took up about three hours, after which the executioners were marched back to prison."

ALGIERS AS IT IS IN THE HANDS OF THE FRENCH.

BY CAPT. LUCAS. LETTER II.

(For the Mirror.)

SINCE the French formally took possession of Algiers, some twelve or thirteen years ago, it has been converted into a slaughterhouse for human beings. European cruelty has shed torrents of native blood, and the African climate has avenged the crimes perpetrated by the boastful and victorious invaders. It is worth while to compare the professions of the French when they first approached Algiers with their subsequent doings. Before the surrender, in 1830, the following proclamation was issued:

"To the Coulouglis, sons of Turks and Arabians, residing in the territory of Algiers,-We, your friends, the French, are setting out for Algiers. We are going to drive from thence the Turks, your enemies and your tyrants, who torment and persecute you; who rob you of your property and the produce of your soil, and con

stantly threaten your lives. We shall not take the town to remain masters of it: we swear it by our blood. If you join us-if you prove yourselves worthy of our protection-you shall reign there as formerly, independent masters of your native country. The French will treat you as they treated your dear brethren the Egyptians, who have not ceased to regret us for these thirty years that have elapsed since we left their country, and who moreover still send their children to France to learn reading, writing, and every useful occupation and art. We promise to respect your money, your goods, and your holy religion, for his majesty, the benefactor of our beloved country, protects every religion. If you do not trust our words and the strength of our arms, retire out of our way; but do not join the Turks, our enemies and yours. Remain peaceable, the French have no need of aid to beat and expel the Turks. The French are and will be your sincere friends; come to us, it will give us pleasure, and will be of advantage to you."

Little regard was had to the promises thus made after the fall of the place. The claims of the natives to anything like independence were laughed to scorn, if not visited as a crime. Among the enormities committed, we have it on the authority of the Duke de Rovigo, that prisoners have been put to death without even the form of a trial. The particular murders referred to by the duke occurred in May, 1832; but according to some writers these form but a small portion of the sins against humanity and public law, for which the French have to answer. Not the least of the evils poured on the conquered country, is experienced from the vagabond and dissolute crew of settlers which they have brought there. This is the description supplied by a Frenchman, M. Aynard de la Tour du Pin:

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Germans, Swiss, and French, agriculturists and artizans, have gone to the promised land of Algiers for profitable employment, but have found nothing but beggary, with the immorality that attends it; and depending upon public support, they have become incapable of honest labour. So that a wretched lazzaroni threaten to spring up from the families of hardy peasants who constituted the first emigration. But the new system has invited a far worse class of colonists than these to Algiers. They are the scum of the sea-ports of France and Spain, Italy and Greece. Men who have forgotten home, and who speak a jargon of all the languages in Europe; men who have tried all professions with equal want of reputation and success. Everywhere and in everything they have been unfortunate. Each has a story to tell of his griev

ances and the wrongs he has suffered from his government. And they are all martyrs to liberty. But the fraud is so gross that when these men meet each other, they fairly laugh in each other's faces. Such is the higher class of society brought to Algiers. These are the men whom Europe sends to enlighten the poorer colonists, and to be an example to Africa. A third class follows, who will ruin the place; because conduct is as indispensable to success as capital. They are men who have been ruined over and over by their folly in all parts of the world. Speculators from England, from the United States of America, and from France, have flocked to Algiers, contributing nothing to its progress but their evil destiny; and they are most assuredly fated to repeat the failures which were the sole causes of their coming here. Their wretched activity is never satisfied, unless when adding to the sum of loss which has always distinguished their career.

"These are the sort of inhabitants France has given to Algiers; and the result is only what might be expected from the acts of such agents."-Revue Encyclopédique, Novembre, 1832, p. 360.

The hills which surround Algiers are now surrounded with elegant villas, which are built like small castles. They are inhabited by consuls, merchants, and wealthy Arabs. At the time of the invasion, those who chose to remain were permitted to retain their property; but many, in the consternation that prevailed, fled, and their estates were seized and sold. The villas which have been mentioned are surrounded by groves, in which oranges, lemons, and almonds are seen in profusion.

Of the 100,000 soldiers which France keeps in Algiers, 6,000 are said to die annually. Many have perished from fatigue and the effects of the climate. From 6,000 to 7,000 are generally in the hospital. Remittances of 20,000l. sterling are sent weekly from France by the steamers, which, however, is but a small portion of the whole expense. Provisions are necessarily imported, as the increased population has caused prices to rise enormously. Beef, for instance, is often twenty sous per pound, while at Tangiers and Tunis it costs but four.

By many Algiers is considered to be a mill-stone about the neck of France. The war carried on is often a war of extermination; men, women, and children, houses, cattle, fruit, and corn are consigned to destruction wholesale. Great is the slaughter made of the French. Of an army of 10,000 men sent out from Algiers, it has often happened that not more than half that number have returned. The remainder are reported to have been left to keep possession of new conquests; but the truth is,