Autobiography of a Manchester Cotton-Manufacturer. By "H. S. G." (John
Heywood, Manchester and London.)—The author was sue- cessively manager of a cotton-mill and of a Manchester warehouse, partner in a mill, and sole owner. And his experience is interesting, as a simply told story of an active man's life could not fail to be ; but nothing is more so than the chapter which relates to the Cotton Famine of 1861-63, and that which describes the prosperity and adversity of his final venture. It will be remembered that Surat cotton, failing the American supply, was much used. The workpeople hated it, and we read that on one occasion when, at a prayer.meetiug, the petition was offered up that an abundant supply of the material on which the livelihood of the people depended might be vouchsafed, a voice was heard to whisper, " But not Surat I " The four years 1873-76 were, it seems, years of unprecedented success. Then came a sudden cheek, from which, aa far at least as the author was concerned, trade never revived. Many other matters besides business are touched upon,—Church-work especially, and picture-baying. The whole volume is very readable.
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