astful arts, fasbinuo, tratt. &a.
THE City wholesale houses in the Manchester and general trades, have experienced the same uncertain range of business during the week that has characterized this season hitherto.
At Coventry the dispute between master and workman has again been renewed, and the hands of Mr. Hart an extensive ribbon manufacturer have turned out. Some time ago the weavers insisted upon a list of prices to be paid for work done, which the manufacturers of Coventry agreed to give, in contradistinction to weekly wages. This system is considered by the largest ribbon manufacturers to be detrimental to the profitable working of the factory system; Mr. Hart has consequently issued a notice that on certain kinds of goods, he will not pay for by the piece, but by weekly wages. and this his workmen resist. Where the weaver has the " list" in his mind, it becomes his in- terest and business to make that description of goods which pays him the best. Narrow ribbons, which are now in demand, are not in favour with the hands, and these considerations interfere with the routine of a factory. The weaver on the large new looms is attended by a "picker up ; " the system of labour in ribbon factories is getting each year more and more one of routine, and we think it will be almost a hopeless matter eventually for she weavers to maintain their " list " in the factories. The massing together of young people of both sexes has its evils in the factory system which is the development of the:manufacturing power of Great Britain, and we hail with pleasure the rise of a class in Coventry, which we hope will become more numerous than it is, of small makers, who can successfully compete with the largest manufacturers, on the a- la-bar system of weaving; "out door "goods generally possessing a certain nicety of finish, that factory made goods often lack.
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