WHEN adverting, in our thirteenth number, to the great political influence of the burghers of the free cities of Germany, Flanders, and Italy, by means of their various guilds, or companies of arts, and trades, we promised to call the attention of our readers and fellow citizens generally, to the subject, as one susceptible of salutary application to the wants and wishes of our own country and time. We then said that "in the United States, where every citizen is guarantied by the general and state constitutions, the full enjoyment of his rights, the political operation of trades and guilds is not so much called for." But we would now take occasion to remark, that for the promotion of useful charities, and feelings of active benevolence, as well as maintaining the social standing of their order, by diffusing accurate information among their members, not only on the rules of trade and mechanics, but on sound constitutional law, and elementary literature and science, they might do immense good. Still farther, they have it in their power to establish and encourage pastimes and sports, by which health would be preserved, and the mind and spirits kept in a tone of pleasurable excitement and cheerfulness, to which confinement in close rooms, and manufactories, in an uneasy and bent posture, with the eyes often strained on minute objects, is so unfavourable. Whatever institutions shall call into activity, and foster the better and kindlier feelings of our nature, are worthy of all comVOL. III.-29

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mendation and encouragement. Of this character are SOcieties consisting of all the respectable members of the several trades and arts, who would be advisers, friends, and supporters, in seasons of distress, of those of their number who, from disease, or unforeseen accident and misfortunes, had been deprived of their usual means of living and of continuing their business. We are aware that this kind of support and assistance is promised, and, on occasions, given by beneficial societies; but they are too often limited and partial in their sphere of action and utility. It is of more importance to give a young man, just freed from his apprenticeship, elevated notions of the respectability of his calling, and of the worth and intelligence of the members of his trade, and to inspire him with a feeling of responsibility to them in their collective capacity, as a guild or company, for his correct habits and fair dealing, than if he were insured an income for seasons of reverse and sickness-because these latter evils `might often be prevented by the habits of temperance, industry, and frugality, which he had acquired under the auspices and encouragement of his guild.

It would be easy for us to specify many advantages which would result from the associations now recommended. In a government like ours the people are presumed to speak always through our representatives in the state and general governments-and so for many, we may say most, of the purposes of national prosperity and character they do. But there are occasions when conflicting prejudices, opposite views and interests are to be discussed, and, if possible, reconciled, not by scholastic logic, nor by mere eloquence, or honied speech, but by legislation adapted to the actual necessities and wants of the class, for whose benefit and protection the law is to be made, or repealed. Now, obviously, the information necessary to form an opinion can be furnished but by the class in whose interest it is proposed to make a legislative enactment. If the merchants are consulted, or desire to address the government, it is through their chamber of commerce that the facts are transmitted, as by it they had been collected. Have the manufacturers a chamber or standing delegation-have the different trades and arts their companies, or guilds, by whom they can make their wants and condition calmly, correctly, and, therefore, authoritatively known? We believe they have not-and if they have not, legislation on their affairs must be more or less conjectural.

The joint funds of the companies of the traders and artizans might be in part appropriated to having, 1st, a convenient hall for meeting, as well as for holding the books, drawings, and apparatus, more immediately relating to the trade and to the mechanical power employed in it; 2d, a place for bodily recreation and amusement, in which different gymnastic exercises should

be gone through. They ought to be accessible to the apprentices and journeymen of all the members, who would, by this means, be kept from the contamination of evil company, and the indulgence in debasing, if not criminal, habits. Thus knit together by a community of business pursuits and amusing relaxations, masters, journeymen, and apprentices would cease to regard each other, as they too often do, with mistrust. Proud of their trade, each individual would aid in giving dignity and importance to the other members of it, as in so doing he would necessarily swell his own.

Provision might be made for affording pecuniary aid to an unfortunate member of the guild, if, on examination, it were found that he had conducted himself honourably, and that his misfortunes had not been of his own criminal creation. Capital might even be furnished, on loan, to those whose ingenuity and moral rectitude had been once advantageously displayed in more prosperous times.

It would be perfectly just and compatible with the equal rights of the masters, and their duty to apprentices, if the laws of the company required that a youth should have had, before indenture, the elements of learning; or if not, that a provision should be made for his obtaining them afterwards. We know that this is the common understanding at present between a master mechanic and the parents or guardian of an apprentice; but to give it full and practical effect would require the supervision of the whole trade directly interested in the respectability, and of course intelligence and good character, of those who shall afterwards recruit their ranks. Express stipulations should also be entered into, respecting the means of preserving his health, and guarding against the diseases to which the apprentice may be liable in his new trade. With this view, some of the more experienced and older members of the guild should, at stated times, inculcate, in brief and plain language, the necessity of attention to cleanliness, temperance, regular bodily exercise, and hours of sleep; at the same time that each member should be held responsible for the obedience to this advice on the part of his apprentices, and those under his roof.

In smaller towns and villages, in which the number of persons of the respective trades would be too small to form a separate company or guild, they might all unite to the support of a common hall, gymnasium, and library, and agree to be governed, in their intercourse with each other and their apprentices, by the rules sketched above. To a certain extent, this plan has been carried into effect in parts of the eastern states, by the establishment of Lyceums. But still the kind of paternal government and guidance, which would make the members of a trade as one great family, attentive primarily to its own reputation and in

terests, without infringing on those of others, remain yet to be adopted. We shall close our remarks by a notice of the Halls of the City (London) Companies, from a "Picture of London," once our companion in that great metropolis:—

“There are in London no less than forty-nine magnificent halls belonging to various guilds or incorporated Companies of Traders and Artizans, Citizens of London. Many of these may be found interesting objects to strangers, either for their architecture, or their magnitude, and expression of opulence. Among the best are:-Ironmongers' Hall, in Fenchurch street; Merchant Taylors' Hall, in Threadneedle street; Goldsmiths' Hall, in Foster lane; Grocers' Hall, Grocers' Hall Court, Poultry; Skinners' and Tallow Chandlers' Halls, Dowgate Hill; Drapers' Hall, Throgmorton street; Mercers' Hall, Cheapside; Fishmongers' Hall, London Bridge; Stationers' Hall, Stationers' Court, Ludgate street; and Apothecaries' Hall, Blackfriars.

"These halls are erected for the management of the affairs of the Companies respectively; and are also used for feasts, on certain public days, and peculiar occasions. Many of the Companies are extremely rich, possessing clear annual revenues of 30, 40, and 50,000l. Among the most wealthy are the Mercers, Grocers, Drapers, Fishmongers, Goldsmiths, Skinners, Merchant Taylors, Haberdashers, and Ironmongers.

In all these halls are pictures more or less curious or excellent, many of them of great age or by eminent masters, and relics of interesting characters or events. Thus, for example, in Fishmongers' Hall, is still to be seen the very dagger with which Sir W. Walworth killed Wat Tyler; in Mercers' Hall, some reliques of Whittington, &c. &c.

"The Citizens of London, possessing an amiable feature in common with the bulk of their countrymen, never forget, in the midst of their abundance, the wants of others. The sums distributed annually to the indigent, by the City Companies, from various funds given for the purpose, amount to more than 26,000l. A few of them give respectively from 1000l. to 4000l. per

annum."

FEMALE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

Or all cant in this most canting country, no species is at once more paltry and more dangerous than that which has been 'made the instrument of decrying female accomplishment. All that execrable twaddle about feminine retirement, and feminine ignorance, which we are doomed so often to hear, has done more towards making women scolds, and flirts, and scandalmongers, than people are well aware of. All minds, whether of males or females, that are ignorant and empty, can only find delight and occupation in a small circle. "Exactly!" cries our canter in the household circle! What larger orbit would you have a woman busy herself in? Is not that her proper sphere?" Fiddlededee! Does housekeeping-the suckling of fools and the chronicling of small-beer-take up all a lady's time? Is she never visiting her neighbours, and pulling her friends' characters to pieces? How can she do otherwise than talk scandal? What else can she talk of if she is ignorant? If she knows nothing about things, she must talk

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about persons; if she cannot converse, she must gossip. The sole species of talk that cottagers have, for instance, is gossip. The same cause that makes poor women gossip, apples to rich women also-ignorance! Then as to feminine delicacy—what softens so much as knowledge? Does knowledge make men bad husbands? Why should it make women bad wives? And the most sad part of the business is, that women themselves should repeat and exult in all this insulting jargon; that they should be the chief persons always to talk of the blessings of not being well educated; of knowing only how to make puddings and tea; of having no talk but backbiting, and feeling no horror like that at a blue-stocking. All this is very pitiable. The soul of a woman is as fine an emanation from the Great Fountain of Spirit as that of a man. Why is she to paper it up as carefully as if it were made of silver lace, and the breath of Heaven would tarnish it? If there were any thing harsh, or unfeeling, or unmatronly, or unfeminine in being well informed, God knows we would not insist upon it. But if there be any truth in the world it is this; that as it was chiefly empty houses that evil spirits were supposed to haunt, so it is chiefly in empty minds that low passions and unworthy sentiments are to be found. Nothing is so tender as true wisdom, or so selfish as folly; and to instruct the mind is the best method wherewith to elevate the heart. The more fit a woman is to be our companion, the more likely she is to be our soother and our friend; and in proportion as she is worthy of our affection will she be capable herself of feeling the loftier and more lasting order of love.-New Monthly Mag.

A Hint to Bipeds.-Purity of vesture seems to be a principal precept of nature, and observable throughout creation. Fishes, from the nature of the element in which they reside, can contract but little impurity. Birds are unceasingly attentive to neatness and lustration of their plumage. All the slug race, though covered with slimy matter calculated to collect extraneous things, and reptiles, are perfectly free from soil. The fur and hair of beasts in a state of liberty and health is never filthy, or sullied with dirt. Some birds roll themselves in dust, and occasionally, particularly beasts, cover themselves with mire; but this is not from any liking or inclination for such things, but to free themselves from annoyances, or to prevent the bites of insects. Whether birds in preening, and beasts in dressing themselves, be directed by any instinctive faculty, we know not; but they evidently derive pleasure from the operation, and thus this feeling of enjoyment, even if the sole motive, becomes to them an essential source of comfort and of health.--Journal of a Naturalist.