The engraving on page 41 exhibits a view of the Norristown Railroad bridge across the Wissahickon, near its junction with the Schuylkill. The bridge is a fine specimen of architecture, and viewed in connection with the adjacent scenery, is probably one of the most picturesque scenes to be found in this quarter of the State. It stands seventyfive feet above the level of the water, and is about three hundred feet in length. The entire route of this rail-road, from Philadelphia to Norristown, is full of beautiful and varied scenery, nearly every inch of which is identified, in some way or other, with historical associations more or less interesting. From Fairmount to Manayunk, there is a succession of smiling villas, handsome grounds, and unique cottages, while the hum and rattle of the loom and the shuttle, the clinking of the hammer, the grit of the saw-mill, the steam and blaze of the numerous iron works and manufactories, no less than the general life and bustle of the way-side, keep the visitor continually on the qui vive of excitement. About one mile beyond the Wissahickon is MANAYUNK, situated on the east side of the river. It is the seat of very extensive and varied manufactures — embracing cotton and woollen factories, flour and paper mills, furnaces, machine shops, &c. The town owes its origin and onward progress entirely to the facilities afforded by the Railroad, and the Schuylkill canal, which passes directly through the principal street, and supplies the water-power for all its manufacturing establishments. Some of these establishments are among the oldest in the United States, having been commenced in 1819, upon the completion of the canal, and when the present site of the place was overgrown with trees and wild bushes. At that time, Manàyunk, with some other points lower down, was an excellent spot for shad-fishing;-but since the erection of the dams in the Schuylkill, this splendid fish has ceased its periodical visits to these waters, and the business, once very considerable, is now entirely discontinued. The present population of Manayunk is probably about seven thousand-almost every person, of both sexes, being engaged in the industrial interest of the place. It was our desire to have presented a view of the interior of a cotton factory, and for that purpose, in company with our artist, we waited on one of the principal factors in that place. Without deigning to see us, he refused to give us admission, and the refusal was couched in terms so sharp and contemptu ous, that it naturally suggested a few thoughts as to the moral and social tendencies of the factory system in our country. We never before realized to the extent we did on this occasion, the haughty and austere manner, the cold, biting dignity, which a commanding position over two or three hundred poor operatives, is calculated to impress on some individuals. While we are free to admit the advantages which these establishments are capable of conferring, it is not to be disguised that, in the hands of some men, they may be converted into engines of great social oppression. The spirit of enterprise which induces our citizens to make large investments in the industrial pursuits, cannot be too highly admired and extolled; but the motives which subsequently turn some of them into uncouth and selfish nabobs, are altogether unworthy the character of a gentleman. or a republican. The most prominent evils attending the factory system in this country, are the natural results of capital, combined with a speculative purpose, to which the factory is made subservient and subordinate. Thus, an individual with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, purchases a favorable location for a factory-no matter what kind-which is to employ from one to three hundred operatives. The location we will suppose to comprise one hundred acres of land, for which five thousand dollars are paid cash, and the remainder upon a credit of twelve months. The factory buildings are now commenced, which will absorb fifteen thousand dollars-one-half to be paid cash, the remainder upon credit. In the meantime, the tract of one hundred acres is laid off into town lots, and twenty or thirty tenements erected, at a cost of four thousand dollars-one-half cash. Thus far about $28,000 have been expended, of which one-half is credit. From ten to thirty thousand dollars are yet required to equip the factory with the necessary machinery,-say $20,000, and we have a total expenditure of upwards of $50,000. There now remains a capital of $50,000 additional to purchase stock, and as a fund to carry on the mill, which is set in operation at high wages for the operatives, and under favourable auspices to attract mechanics, labourers and tradesmen to the village. A brisk demand for houses and lots ensues, and the greater the demand the greater becomes the value-ergo, in a short time probably more than one hundred thousand dollars will have been realized from the sales and rents of houses and lots, and thus, without reference to the immediate productions of the factory, a handsome fortune has been realized from a comparatively small investment. As soon as this manoeuvre is terminated, and when the village is filled to repletion, another card is to be played. The factory cannot be conducted with profit under high rates of wages-the prices of labor must be reduced, or the works suspend operation. Here ensues a panic-a general stagnation of all the affairs of the village. Many will sell out their houses and lots at a sacrifice, and move away; others will seek new employments, while, in the meantime, some will work on at reduced wages. The speculator now again makes his appearance, and it is not long before a large number of lots are in his possession, and thus, probably to a less extent than before, the same speculation is acted over. We would not create the inference that our factory system generally is under the influence of such speculative movements; but we mention this as one of the evils which have hitherto surrounded it, and which have, in a great measure, crippled its operations, and raised an amount of political opposition which could not, under other circumstances, exist. But, independent of this, there are other objections, arising from the centripetal agency of such establishments in attracting around them the necessary operatives, always constituting a population more or less numerous. As this population is solely dependent upon the "lord of the loom," it is liable to be |