BRITISH SLAVERY.

THE attention of the public in the metropolis, and, indeed, in every part of the empire, has recently been directed, and directed most humanely, and effectually, to a most interesting and important class of the community, the dressmakers and milliners of our country, whose health, interests, moral and religious welfare, have been, for a long series of years, most cruelly neglected.

It awakens our astonishment, that the benevolent and christian inhabitants of this kingdom have not been aroused to a consideration, a profound and serious considera

tion, of this great question, until the present period, after so much mischief has been occasioned, and such a train of accumulated and fearful evils has been entailed.

When the multitudes of young females are contemplated, who have been engaged in dressmaking and millinery occupations, from generation to generation, and from century to century; and when the appalling miseries which they have quietly endured, until they successively dropped into the grave, are soberly regarded, it is surprising that general attention was not directed to their case, that public sympathy was not awakened in their favour, that the voice of a nation's indignation was not heard pleading loudly on their behalf, and that simultaneous and determined efforts were not made for the alleviation of their condition, and for their deliverance from such degrading and ruinous enthralment, as that in which they were so unfeelingly held.

It is, however, the characteristic of human nature, that "all seek their own." There is

not that inquiry into the condition of othersthat sympathy with the trials of othersthat concern for the happiness of others—and that exertion for the intellectual and moral elevation of others-which are so beautiful in themselves, and which should be prominently exhibited.

The voice of those occupying comparatively humble stations is unheard by the generality, or, if it does awaken, occasionally, some degree of attention, that attention is not so riveted as to inspire much interest, and to induce energetic and combined effort, in order that loud remonstrance may be expressed, and that a redress of grievances may be secured.

Besides, it is well known that the spirit of trade is very grasping, selfish, and hard. It is always crying, "Give! Give!" Its demands, especially, at the present period, are rapacious and insatiable. It allows scarcely any time for domestic quiet and comfort for early intellectual and moral training for the enjoyment of daily and

endearing intercourse-for the cultivation of the "sweet household charities"-for any thing like attention to health-much less, religious improvement.

There are multitudes engaged in business, who have no sympathy with the young, however blooming, or delicate, or feeble. They must labour and toil-they must arouse and concentrate their energies, from month to month, and from year to year, with scarcely any intermission, as though the body never wanted rest - as though the mind never wanted recreation as though the nerves never could be enfeebled or unstrung-as though the health never could be impairedas though the constitution never could be undermined as though the body never could be laid prostrate by disease and death.

And it is much to be feared, and lamented, that very many of our fair countrywomen, occupying the more exalted and influential stations of society, have not cherished that considerate and kindly feeling towards thousands and tens of thousands, of their own