heroes in demonstrating the chivalrous manner in which "fields could be won," merely as indications of their prowess.

The prices of provisions being high at this period (1802-3), a number of the inhabitants revived a joint stock company, originally formed July, 1795, for the purchase of food and other necessaries upon as economical a scale as possible. The association possessed a warehouse in Yorkshire street, and were styled "the United Friendly Society." The committee became involved in litigation with their creditors in 1804, and, in 1808, the undertaking seems to have been dissolved.

Manufactures, and consequently population, increased greatly during the war; and yet, in 1803-4, trade was subjected to a severe depression. Thus it is with prosperity, "it generally leads on to adversity, as the highest health is often the forerunner of the worst diseases" Speculation, as Lord Kaimes remarks, rouses every one to adventure, though every one cannot gain. Trade, owing to the vast force of its energies, soon regained its former prosperity.

In 1801, Mr. Samuel Lees, afterwards of Manchester, commenced a small cotton manufactury at Waterhead mill, which was the first cotton mill established at that place, if we except Dowrey mill, at Millbottom, built about 1791, and Blomeley mill, near Count hill, which seems to have been originally a woollen mill. In 1802, Mr. Thomas Brideoake, a native of the parish of Leigh, erected the first mill at Waterhead mill, built expressly for the purpose of a cotton mill; and, in the same year, Mr. John Waring first became possessed of Dowrey mill. In the following year, Mr. John Kirkham established a third cotton concern at Watcrhead mill, and contemporary with him, Mr. William Waring was the owner of a warehouse for manufacturing purposes

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