light is dawning; and already, within the limited circle of my observation, many who formerly took in the newsdepot on the way home from shop or factory, on Saturday nights, where a plentiful supply of Police Gazettes, Day's Doings, Phunny Phellows, and kindred publications, were purchased for Sunday reading, now invest in the standard literary monthlies and weeklies-one step towards a much-desired reformation. The habitually-acquired thirst for frivolous and sensational reading seems nearly satiated, and the active mind calls for something upon which to feed itself that is not immersed in blood and thunder, or embellished with masks, pistols, bowie-knives and horror.

Verily, the signs of the times are propitious, and with the assistance of new missionaries in the field, but just entering upon their labors of love and usefulness, may we not look forward to the speedy dawning of brighter days in our literary existence? Not that we are not already blessed with many, very many, publications whose motto seems to be:

Yet we are also afflicted with those of a character whose only influence must be for evil.

The present age has also witnessed the development of a literary existence for our youth, unparalleled in the annals of publication; and now we can look upon, and refer to, with pride, such publications as the Little Corporal, Our Young Folks, Youth's Temperance Banner, and scores of others, each adapted to its particular field of action, but all, with one accord, striving to inculcate a pure and undefiled literary taste in the rising generations, in conjunction with

labors performed under that heart-cheering motto of the Little Corporal:

"Fighting against wrong,

And for the good, the true and beautiful."

May their earnest endeavors in this direction ever meet with that appreciation which is ever an auxiliary to suc cess, and without which the most assiduous labor would be as idle words.

The religious press, as at present conducted, is an honor to the age. Met from the first with discouragement on every hand—for a long period far from self-supporting-the religious press, having confidence in the good sense of the American people, has pursued the even tenor of its way, until it can boast several as large, tastefully gotten-up and printed papers and magazines, as ably conducted and as liberally patronized, as any on the continent. The style of literature furnished through such publications as the Ladies' Repository can not but have a beneficial effect upon the general tone of society, and tend to inculcate and foster a passion for pure literature.

The especial advocates of any particular branch of science or art are also devoting a portion of their pages to the choicest gems of literature, and with a cheering success. Thus the ball rolls on, and the literary skies are each moment growing brighter, and casting their grateful rays with more liberality throughout the land. Verily the end is not yet. Progression is a term whose limit is as vague and undefined as its achievements are laudatory.

Of our gigantic strides in the bookpublishing department, the Old World is both jealous and amazed. For centuries leading the van, they can illy brook the stubborn fact that a nation of Yankees have not only rivalled but excelled in typographical neatness, accuracy and cheapness of publication, as well as rapidity in "getting out." A few years since, and it was deemed a

tedious task to prepare and arrange "copy," read proof, and revise matter for a thirty-two-page pamphlet. Today, less personal supervision and attendant trouble is entailed upon the author of a tome of four hundred pages. As one branch of science or department of art progresses, others, to preserve their equilibrium and keep pace with what has preceded them, are enforced to adopt an accelerated speed, and seek out new channels of progression, that they may not become lost in the mazy distance. Thus, with an eye to discern, and a will to press on, constantly reaching out into the dim and unknown regions of experimental life, is it at all a source of wonder that, as a nation, we proudly stand to-day at the head of the column, and throw the gauntlet to the world?

We are apt, far too apt, from constant association with books and authors, to lay too little stress upon their importance. Had we merely the meagre libraries of a century ago, and were we taught, perforce of circumstances, to look upon the issue of a book by some enterprising but deluded publisher as the event of a generation-methinks, could we reach forward in fancy to a golden era when numerous houses issue thousands of volumes annually, we should deem the happy denizens of that age favored almost beyond comprehension. These blessings are at our disposal.

So it is with the age. What with its faithful servants, steam and electricity, its manifold appliances for compressing the most into the minutest space of time, our literati scarce can control their impatience the few days that intervene between the announcement and advance sheets of a new work by a popular author, and the appearance of that work the shelves of dealers. And upon here let me refer to a habit which is not only characteristic of the age, but deserves censure at the hands of every

true friend of progress. A new book, upon receipt, is plunged into with reckless avidity; its pages pass before the eye with a rapidity that leaves little ground for hope that aught contained therein will remain impressed upon the mind for any longer period than while in hand. No matter what particular department is represented by the work no matter what profound principles of elaborate literature it may developit is hurrriedly scanned until the finis is reached. With an indolent yawn, the volume is closed and placed by the side of its predecessors upon the shelf, there to remain until rescued from its dusty perch by some person not fortunate in obtaining a first reading.

And why this haste? In fully ninetynine instances in every one hundred the pure is cast aside to give place to the impure. A work of real worth and merit is consigned to the dismal shades of the book-case, after an imperfect scanning, and an inferior article of mental diet assigned the place of honor upon the center table. Why? From the simple but pertinent fact that the former, although graced by the flowers of language, and emitting the subtle aroma of genius and purity, is not as profusely studded with the far-fetched hyperbole which conventional society is wont to favor as entertaining, and which is so abundantly intermingled with what modicum of sense may be found in the latter.

It is an old axiom that the "world is governed too much." Might it not also be said, with equal terseness, that we read too much? Not that I by any means deprecate the fact, but rather grieve that so much valuable time, of what is at best but a span, is so reck lessly devoted to a mere pretender, to the exclusion of the legitimate. Were these worse than squandered hours employed in storing the mind with the contents of yonder shelves, how far in advance of what we at present justly

boast, we should be as a people of literary cultivation, it is impossible to esti

mate.

There is an imperative duty enjoined by the requirements of the age upon each and every person favoring a forward movement in literary progression. None so obscure but commanding a deIgree of influence over the minds of the

youth who are laying, to-day, a foundation upon which, a few short years hence, they will stand before rising generations as you now stand before them. Seek by gentle means to eradicate this hereditary taint of mental character that enwraps the brain of far too many of our youth of either sex in its serpen tine and seductive folds. Strive to inculcate, by keeping constantly within their reach the purer gems of our modern literature, a love for the same, and a desire to store the mind with something of more definite form than the wishy-washy twaddle that forms an alarming proportion, neatly bound, of the stock-in-trade of many dealers.

Any vice, vicious or pernicious habit, can be overcome, if attacked at the proper time, and in suitable manner. Any mind not clouded with criminal ignorance, may be won from its daily feast of fictitious, romantic adventure, if properly supplied with an entertaining reality. Perseverance, and a plentiful supply of meritorious mental food, will eventually win the day.

In what employment can a person receive more perfect enjoyment than in the leisure, reflective perusal of a good book? Lack of means is no proper excuse for their exclusion from the home of even the poorest laborer. A careful examination will reveal the fact that those whose families are unprovided with reading material, save an occasional paper on the occasion of some great calamity, prize-fight, murder, suicide, elopement, or other "news," spend an amount, that finds its way into the till of the rumseller, sufficient to pay

the subscription of the home paper, two or three monthlies and weeklies, and leave a respectable sum for the purchase of books. This latter investment would be regarded by many of them as extravagant in the extreme; yet, they do not seemingly notice the frightful inroads made upon their slender receipts by their false and fallacious notions of enjoyment found before the bar or at the cardtable. As a consequence, their families grow up in the most shameful and criminal ignorance. The boys are good hands at old sledge, and are among the first in their neighborhood to achieve the task of whistling "Champaign Charley." The girls, for diversion, search out "the last paper pap brought home," and again feast the eyes and heart with the published account of something unnatural or hideous, or gloat over the still more revolting and positively obscene wood cuts. Thus the mental and moral character of the under strata of society is formed; its baneful effects are visible hourly; under such tuition graduate the thieves, robbers, cut-throats, outcasts and prostitutes of the present day. No reasonable excuse can be offered for this deplorable state of affairs. "As the twig is bent, so the tree inclines." Parents are amenable to the laws of God, if not to those of man, for the pains they take to educate their progeny to fill our jails, penitentiaries and infirmaries.

On the other hand, go with me to the home of a fellow-laborer with the aboveone whose early character was, perhaps, developed beneath the watchful care of a pious mother. Here you will find the evening amusement to consist of entertaining and instructive reading and conversation. The more complicated and arduous passages are explained and exemplified to the younger members of the family; their interest is aroused; they wish to know more upon the subject; an early, earnest and lasting desire for information is formed; a taste for

mental acquirement is planted, and the germs now so frail may, a few years hence, develop into either statesmen, orators, authors or poets. Science also has its devotees, whose first lessons were received around the cheerful fireside of a happy home. A single article, perhaps, upon some grand achievement in the scientific world, has fastened itself upon the memory-hooks of one of that listening group, and the young and active mind, grasping the idea evolved with its full force and vigor, becomes the base of action for a future filled with success.

Is it a severe task to determine which picture is the most lovable or which possesses the most beauty?

In conclusion, let me repeat that the signs of the times are pregnant with hope. Should the efforts now being made be seconded by the populace, as they should, a still brighter future is before us. The day of an excusable ignorance has passed, and its sun has set never to again arise. In its stead has arisen another and nobler orb, and while the genius of intelligence shall light up the world of letters, let its rays rest upon each and every one at his post of duty, performing his allotted part in rescuing the legitimate from the contaminating companionship of the impure.

T is less than a third of a century

IT

since the first effort was made in what are known as the Western States to manufacture fabrics from wool, cotton, or both combined. This interest has grown from feeble beginnings to one of great magnitude, and one in which our readers are more or less concerned; therefore we have gathered the following from the sources at our control.

The first settlers in the Western States were enterprising scions from New England or Middle States families, who, when removing to the land of promise, brought with them their sheep and cattle, from which to derive both food and clothing. The hand-card, distaff, spinning-wheel and hand-loom were among the most cherished household possessions.

With the advance in population, wealth and refinement, the few scattered sheep have multiplied into vast flocks, the hand-card, spinning-wheel and hand-loom have given place to the

carding machine and the cotton and woolen factory, with their varied and labor-saving machinery, until there are, in the States under our notice, about eight hundred manufactories, combining enterprise, capital and skill, aiding to enrich the country in retaining the important staple of wool in the section where it is grown; stimulating its production and perfection; making valuable additions to our population from the older States and foreign countries; bringing capital to assist in developing natural resources; advancing the value of real estate, and improving the home market for all agricultural products. And yet this interest in the West is still in its infancy. The possibilities, nay, the probabilities of its future are now only faintly foreshadowed. It is but recently that systematic efforts have been made to organize the manufacturers of woolen goods for mutual benefit and protection.

Spencer Ellsworth, Esq., manager of the Prairie State Mills, of Lacon, Ill.,

celebrated for the excellence of their shawls, took the initial step, by addressing a brief circular to several manufacturers, inviting them to meet in conference, at the Tremont House in this city, Wednesday, January 15, 1868. At this meeting an organization was perfected, called the Woolen Manufacturers' Association of the Northwest, of which Geo. S. Bowen, Esq., a practical manufacturer, as well as a prominent dry-goods merchant, was elected president, and Jesse McAlister, Esq., well-known from his connection with the wool and woolen goods interests of the West, was elected secretary and treasurer.

During the first week in August an exposition of wool and woolen goods was held under the auspices of the new association, which was participated in by more than eighty manufactories, exhibiting over fifteen hundred specimens, comprising every variety of woolen fabrics. It was attended by several thousand visitors from every part of the country; was noticed and favorably commented upon by almost the entire press, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and aroused an intense public interest in the subject, not only here in the West, but throughout the land. Among the numerous notices, the following, from the Bulletin of the National Woolen Manufacturers' Association, by John L. Hayes, Esq., deserves attention, from the well-known position of its author:

ers

the fancy cassimeres exhibited by some of the mills, were pronounced by impartial experts to be fully equal to the products of the best mills of the East. A marked feature of the fabrics was the absence of shoddy, flocks, and other substitutes for pure wool. The mills are none of them large, averaging from two to four sets. The advantages legitimately claimed by the Western manufacturers are the saving of transportation of both raw material and fabrics, the facility of sending directly to custom- no commissions being paid to middlemen in the large cities—and the public sentiment of consumers in favor of the products of their own region, which is encouraged by the confidence that the goods are honestly made. It was evident, from the facts observed, that the West will hereafter rely to a large extent upon the products of its own mills for ordinary cloths; and that the East must relinquish its markets, or compete by cheaper productions or a higher class of fabrics. These are but the legitimate results of protection, and the compensation is that they make it more probable that the competition is to be limited to American soil."

Also the following, from the Springfield (Mass.) Republican of August 25th, is likewise worthy of the attention of every thoughtful observer of events:

"Among the most important industrial facts of the country is the silent but steady growth of manufactures at the West for ten years past. While the East has been felicitating itself upon its traditional advantages, and has persistently refused to recognize the new States as anything but producers of the raw material and predestined consumers of its goods, factories and foundries have been starting up at numerous points throughout the West, and now bid fair to prove dangerous rivals in the competions of the market. Begin