20 AUGUST 1859, Page 2

No progress has been made in the affair of the

strike or "look out." There has been immeasurable controversy on the subject, interesting chiefly to those concerned. The broad facts—the declaration on one side and the unwillingness to sign it on the other, the hypocritical demand of the men fon a rise in wages under the pretext of a shortening of the hours of labour—remain just where they were. Further attempts have been made at negotiation and compromise. Mr. John Lilwall has exerted himself with a success that was to be expected—seeing that he is secretary to a society whose avowed object is "early closing." The employers are firm in their position, and the men are ap- pealing to "the trades" generally to supply them with the sinews of war. The error of the employers in proposing a de- claration is more conspicuous than ever, since it is admitted by The workmen that they do not regard engagements to which they sign their names as worth anything at all, a lamentable con- fession, but all of a piece with that immorality which has dis- tinguished the whole movement.