Whether trade be stationary or progressive, (no one contends that
it is retrogressive,) is at present a subject of dispute among our contempora- ries. That in some parts of the country it is apparently reviving, is
certain. The spinners of Manchester have returned to work, and been
received by their masters willingly and cheerfully, unless where their places had been previously supplied b' workmen from other districts. This may stand in lieu of a thousand arguments on the subject. The, present amount of improvement may be little ; but the impetus once imparted, there is every hope that credit will spring up, speculation, which has long been idle, will resume its activity, and prosperity, not riotous nor excessive, but solid and peaceful, be once more felt in the land.
A meeting of the creditors of the extensive sugarhouses that stopped payment on Saturday last, was held on Monday. The debts are esti- mated at 320,0001. We cannot admit that any partial failure is to be looked on as indicative of the state of trade throughout the kingdom ; although some would infer it in the case of the houses in question, where great mismanagement seems to have preceded bankruptcy. A somewhat singular scene took place at Hinkley the other day, connected with the trade of that place. Mr. PEEL happened to be passing through, on his way to Drayton Manor ; when he was fairly beset by the unemployed mechanics, who, according to some accounts, even proceeded to threats, in order to procure a hearing of their griev- ances. According to others, it was a deputation only of the frame- work-knitters that waited on the right honourable gentleman. He addressed them with much kindness, and concluded by assuring them, that " His Majesty's Government has every motive of inclination and of duty to adopt such measures as shall be calculated to relieve local distress, pro- vided those measures were consistent with the general and permament inte- rest of the country. Any efforts which could be made by the Government with that view, would be materially aided by the patience of the working classes, and by a manifestation on their part of a steady resolution on all occasions to respect and obey the laws."
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