elevated position for which her capabilities and resources undoubtedly fit her.

One great

No part of Ireland suffered more from famine and sickness than Cork; the most appalling spectacles were seen, not only in remote districts and by the unfrequented roadside, but in the very heart of the city; the sick and the dying might have been beheld lying on a truss of straw, in the public thoroughfares, while the mother tottered along the streets, nearly fainting beneath the light weight of the wasted child, who was dead, or dying, in her arms. A wild shout was often heard to issue from the abode of the poor, where Death was busy with its inmates. In this dreadful emergency, it occurred to some benevolent ladies, that, by the employment of young females, some families might be assisted. Struck by the advantages which needlework might afford, they opened an embroidery school, in June, 1846-a year never to be forgotten in Ireland. Into this school young females of the city, of every religious denomination, were admitted; a proper recommendation being all that was required. object in forming it was to give employment to young females, after leaving educational schools, and thus to prepare them, by habits of industry, for stations where they could earn their bread. A committee of ladies was formed, by which the school was to be conducted for four months. After it opened, the hundred and twenty girls who had been admitted, were every day supplied with a breakfast of bread and milk-a seasonable relief, at a time when multitudes were perishing from hunger. The means for affording this were furnished by a grant of £100 from the relief committee, who also placed another £100 at the disposal of the committee of the embroidery school, for other purposes. The annual expenses of the establishment are defrayed from the profits arising from the sale of the work, as it receives no aid from any public fund, and its list of subscribers is very limited; this is much to be regretted, as the committee would gladly extend its benefits, which would "tell" in the improvement of the morals and habits of the poorer classes. One hundred and twenty-seven girls are now employed in the school; they receive no payment till there is some return for their work, which is seldom sufficiently well done to be productive for about six months after entrance. When perfectly instructed, they are allowed to take the work home; and they come once a week for payment, which is proportioned to the quality of the work, varying from 4d. to 5s.

The great relief afforded by the employment

of young females has, indeed, proved a signal blessing, and kept many a family from the poor-house. During the famine, and the fatal disease emphatically called the famine fever, and the cholera which raged in the year 1849, the earnings of these poor children saved many a life, and they are still the chief dependence of their families. A hundred families, it is stated, are thus relieved. A certain proportion of the earnings is kept in hand, for a little store, in case of some pressing occasion, and for the purchase of such articles of clothing as they most need. So destitute are many of those poor children of that prime necessary, and so anxious for work, that rather than stay from the school, they would come wrapped in a cloak or shawl, which they borrowed, to hide their deficient and miserable garments. "Why do you wear that great warm cloak ?" was said, as she untied it, to a little girl who was muffled up in a cloak, one hot day in August. As it fell from her, her scanty clothing at once explained its use. The sum in hand has sometimes been drawn to pay for a passage to America-that land of promise to the poor Irish! One of the girls, who had formed an attachment to a young man who was on the eve of sailing for America, applied for her savings, which amounted to £20. This enabled her to marry, to pay for her passage out with her husband, to procure clothes, and to take £8 out with her. "Please, ma'am," said she to Mrs. S., who proposed transmitting it to Boston, "I should rather have it about me, and in gold, so that I could always feel it." It was accordingly sewed in her stays, and her promise was taken that it should not be ripped out till she arrived at her destination. She is now doing well in the States, where her skill in embroidery has turned to good account. Many of the girls who have married have availed themselves of the embroidery school when in distress, and returned to seek employment, for the support of themselves and their husbands. A thousand pleasing anecdotes of the anxiety of the poor children for work can be recounted by those who watch over the school.

It is truly gratifying, on entering the schoolroom, to see a light, airy apartment, affording for some hours in the day a healthy atmosphere, and in the winter months a genial heat from a comfortable fire, to those whose homes are dark, and cold, and comfortless. It is truly pleasant to see the young creatures busy with their needles, and to look at the beautiful specimens of work, wrought by the hands which would, but for this employment, have been

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utterly idle. The most delicate and elaborate patterns, finished with a skill which might compete with that of any country, are there produced. The interest which the children take in the work is expressed in the earnestness of their countenances; but there is one who sits in the window, by the teacher, who seems still more deeply absorbed in what she is about than the rest. The poor child has been a cripple from infancy her mother carries her in every day on her back, from beyond Blarney, a distance of more than four miles. To the poor cripple, the occupation of the school has been everything: before she was admitted, she was a burthen to herself and others; her days passed on in gloomy monotony, without the power of being useful to others, and incapacitated from joining in the sports of other children. Now, she is no longer a burthen, but a help; and work to her is not merely the means of independence, but a source of enjoyment. Nothing, indeed, can be more gratifying than the interest which the young people take in the work. It was affectingly exemplified in the case of a girl, who had been one of the best workers in the school. She fell into a decline, and was soon too ill to attend. She sent to ask for work: the ladies, willing to indulge what they considered the mere fancy of a sick person, sent her what could be most easily done, that she might not fatigue herself. She was hurt at not having been sent that which was most difficult. Her wish was gratified; and the work in which she excelled beguiled some of the tedious hours of illness. She died soon after. Cases of great distress have been unintentionally disclosed by the children themselves. Many of them are the daughters of tradesmen, thrown out of employment by the reduced circumstances of their former customers, and without the means of furnishing themselves with the materials necessary for pursuing their business. One of the little girls asked for a small sum from her savings to get shoes. "Shoes, my dear!" said the lady, "that will never purchase a pair of shoes." "Ma'am," replied the child, "my father will make them for me for he was a shoemaker-if I get the leather; for he can't." "I am afraid that poor child works too hard," said Mrs. S., as she observed a little girl who looked as if she was almost dying, as she plied her needle with indefatigable zeal, "she looks wretchedly." "Her father was buried this morning," replied the teacher; "he was a poor tradesman--there was great want-this child is fretting-her brother is out of employment-there was sickness at home-she only is in the way of earning

anything so, as long as she is able to hold the needle, she will work for them." The cares of life had fallen early on this child; she was but eleven years old. These are but a few of the affecting anecdotes connected with this establishment, many more could be given, did space permit; but the sad and solemn circumstances under which it was founded give it a peculiar and almost sacred interest, which can scarcely fail to excite sympathy. A debt of gratitude is indeed, due by the inhabitants of Cork, to those through whose exertions it is owing that at least a hundred families are relieved by the industry of their children; that a hundred and twenty children, who never earned a penny before in their lives, are now able to help those who are nearest and dearest to them. By their attendance in the school they were saved from the ravages of the cholera, which carried off numbers of their families, while not one among the children took the fatal complaint-a fact worthy of medical observance, which can best determine whether this exemption may be attributed to the cleanliness enjoined by the rules of the school, the pure air enjoyed for part of the day, or the attention of the mind to the work in hand. In adverting to the beneficial results from the establishment of the school of embroidery, it would be a strange omission if the name of Mrs. Sainthill were not mentioned. Bound by none of the associations or claims of a common birth-place with those whose cause she espoused, this English lady devoted all the energies of an active mind, gave her precious time and thoughts, and made considerable advances from her purse, to promote the desirable object. Her labours in the cause of industry have been unremitting: she has attended to the progress of the work with the most patient perseverance, watched over the interests of the children with a care almost parental, the charms of her own private correspondence have been relinquished for the multiplicity of communications into which she has entered with those in France, and various parts of England, who can serve the cause of humanity by forwarding the sale of the work, and by furnishing new designs and patterns. Did we not feel it a duty, we should scarcely venture to pay this tribute, where an ample recompense is felt in the perfection to which the beautiful branch of needlework has been brought, and in the constant exercise of Christian motives and benevolent feelings. The secretaryship to the school is shared with Mrs. Sainthill, by a lady whose care for the welfare of the children, unremitting attention to their

progress, and active humanity, prove her to be a meet associate in the good work. The name of Mrs. M'Swiney is worthy of all honour,

The good effects of the Industrial Female Schools cannot be too highly estimated; they tell in the more ready observance of order and cleanliness-those decencies of life so apt to be neglected in the extreme of poverty; hence the young female, as the dispenser of relief, takes an elevated position in the home where she had been hitherto a burden, or at best a drudge; the spirit of independence inspires the self-respect, which is one of the surest safeguards against the temptations and the evil examples by which the young and the unwary are beset; the kindly affections are fostered as hands are busy for those who are loved, Cheerfulness waits on industry, and the thoughts of the young can take happy wings, when not weighed down by premature cares, and, as the poor girl plies her needle, fancy brings the moment when she returns home with her week's earnings.

While deeply impressed with the paramount importance of educational schools, of which there are a number admirably regulated and attended in Cork, we see in the Industrial Schools a great want supplied-the occupation of the time that necessarily elapses after the girls leave the educational schools, before anything eligible offers. This is a blessing which cannot be too highly estimated; the importance of occupation is known to all, even those on whom fortune has smiled feel its necessity so much, that, though totally independent of self-exertion, they make out employment for themselves; if, then, those surrounded by the refinements of life, find that the mind would languish if totally left without occupation, how doubly necessary must it be for those who have no such resources. As industry has been designated the handmaid of virtue, idleness may be called the handmaid of vice; what numbers have been led by it to frequent the ale-house and the gaming-table-how many malefactors have ascribed their evil courses and unhappy cases, with their latest breath, to idleness.

We have great pleasure in stating that an industrial school, in connexion with the Established Church, opened on the 1st of January, 1851, when three girls from each of the seven parishes were admitted; the committee soon after enlarged their plan, to any number recommended by the parochial clergy, on the payment of £1 for each girl, the object being to afford employment to young females of good character, between leaving the parochial school and entering into service or business, "a period

in which," as justly remarked in the annual report, "they are especially exposed to temptation," and one, it might be added, in which evil example has its greatest influence.

The receipts for work during the last year amounted to nearly £100, and already do the families of the girls find the benefit of their children's industry-it is a great help to all--and to some it is all to which they have to look, Out of the sixty girls who have been admitted, cight have obtained services in respectable families, seven have gone to business, two have emigrated, and six have left the school from various causes. Thirty-seven now remain in the school; the habits of industry and order which its rules induce are of the greatest importance, particularly to those intended for service or business. They are strictly enforced, and make a valuable part of education. The school opens at ten, and any girl who is not puntual to the moment is sent away without work-such a lesson in punctuality is not likely to be forgotten. In the school-room, when the girls are busily at work, a look suffices to tell who have been longest in attendance; the gradations are sufficiently marked to be at once observed-those who were first admitted being more cleanly and better cladthe latest comers are invariably the most squalid and neglected in appearance. A portion of Scripture is read each day in the school-room, and the children are instructed, one day in the week, by one of the city clergy; the progress of the children, and the interests of the school, are carefully attended to by the governesses and visiting ladies of the institution, "many of whom," we find from the report, "have, with untiring energy, devoted their time to the instruction of the girls,"

Early in the spring of 1851, the Sisters of Mercy opened an industrial school on the South Terrace, Cork, which gives instruction to a hundred and forty girls, in plain and a variety of fancy works; their progress in knitting, netting, crochet, and various branches of needlework, under the teaching of these benevolent ladies, may be appreciated, when it is mentioned that already these children are not only able to contribute to the support of their families, but that in some cases that duty devolves entirely on them. Two children, of about seven and eight, attend the school regularly, and take home work to their sister, who is too sick to accompany them; teshe three girls support their family on their earnings, which amount to 78. a week. The anxiety to obtain work is so great, that poor sick children, unable to go out, send to entreat that some may be sent to

them; there are many cases of girls who have left the workhouse to seck for employment for their support in this school-should they fail in obtaining it, they must go back to the workhouse. The work is done according to orders, with which the materials are sent; the demand for nets for the hair is so great that a vast deal of that work is going on. Cotton is the material with which they begin, as silk would be too costly, till they can finish the work nicely. Very large orders have just been received from the great establishments of Fitzgibbon and of Arnott, for nets intended for England-the orders are so large that the help of three other schools is necessary so that two hundred dozen may be completed in the week, and in every week, while the demand lasts. The shops requiring these nets supply the silk; to guard against defalcation or waste, the nuns weigh the silk before the net is begun, and the net after it is finished-the slightest deficiency is thus detected and deducted from the girl's pay-this has induced greater carefulness. The school is supported by the work; the outlay for instruction by the week is about £1, the weekly payments to the workers average-for knitting about 1s. 6d.; for fine crochet, 2s. 6d.; for crochet nets, 5s.; for netted nets, 78.; the embroidery of gentlemen's vests has been just introduced, which it is hoped may be productive. The interesting cases of relief which this school affords, must be a delightful recompence to the charitable founders of the institution for their unceasing attention to its welfare.

About six months since, the Sisters of Mercy opened another large school on the same plan, in the North Parish, where a hundred and fifty are making rapid progress in various branches of needle-work, which they are already turning to profit. The school being as yet in an infant state, its merits cannot be fairly discussed; but, recent as its establishment has been, it is a great help to the poor. Cases of deep interest have occurred. Among them, it is but justice to the benevolent founders of the establishment to mention, that there are at present in the school eight orphans who support themselves entirely by work; all of these poor girls were found in great distress, some of them in the most utter destitution, with scarcely any covering-no home, no friends, no relatives to look after them. Thus were they found by those humane ladies, who not only put them in the way of earning their bread, but have put up beds for them, and given them a home in the school. Some of these young creatures, just growing

up, were thus timely snatched from the dangers incident to their unprotected and miserable situation.

Very fine specimens of crochet-work have been finished in the school in connexion with the Ursuline Convent, at the Black Rock, near Cork, where sixty of the girls belonging to that large school have been instructed; and they earn from 4s. to a pound in the week. The comfort which this must be to their families may be conceived.

The establishment of crochet-work, now brought to great perfection, in the neighbourhood of Dundanion Castle, the residence of Sir Thomas Deane, originated with his lady, the late lamented Lady Deane. Ever watchful over the interests of the poor, their applications in the year 1816 excited her deep commiseration, and her thoughts were constantly haunted by the desire of affording relief in some manner likely to prove a permanent benefit. It had always appeared to her that assistance should flow, when possible, through the channel of industry, Providence suggested to her the means of being eminently useful; it occurred to her that if employment could be found for the young girls in the neighbourhood, they might be able to contribute to the support of their destitute families. Crochet-work, she thought, would not be very difficult; she knew that the demand for it was increasing, and that even the earliest executed would bring in some remuneration. She instantly set about learning the stitch and designing patterns for the work, and in less than a fortnight she had her workers employed. The relief afforded by the introduction of this work has exceeded all expectation, and has kept many families from the poor-house. hundred and fifty girls are employed, and, though not brought within the strict rules of a school-room, they are amenable to regulations which must tell on their habits: they must bring in their work on a certain day, care having been taken to keep it as free from soil as possible; they then receive payment, and are supplied with thread for more work. It is expected that they appear clean on these occasions, and as decently clad as their circumstances will admit. From the beginning of 1847 to the present time, the work has sold for nearly five thousand pounds! The cost of the materials is about ten per cent., that of postage three, and stationery two per cent. The earnings of the workers average from four to twelve shillings in the week, they sometimes reach fifteen shillings, a portion of this is laid by in the saving-bank. We have scen

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specimens of the work, in berthes, flounces, sleeves, collars, caps, edgings, and insertions, which are extremely beautiful. Some of the flounces have sold for as much as two guineas a yard. Large sales of the various articles take place-nine-tenths of which are effected in England; America purchases largely, and there is a demand for the edgings in Germany, which is very advantageous, as that is the article in which the young beginners are employed. Children not more than six years old contribute by this work to the support of their families, and thus carly are taught to feel the inestimable value of industry. There are many interesting cases among these poor young workers, which could not fail to excite sympathy. There is a bed-ridden child who actually earns five shillings a week in her bed; and we have been informed by Sir Thomas Deane, that "there is a paralytic child, who grasps the needle in one hand while she works with the other." From the great success of the undertaking, it would be impossible not to be deeply impressed by the fact, that all this good has been accomplished by the unaided exertions of a single individual. She received no assistance from any fund-she sought for no subscriptions or donations; the outlay at its commencement was all from the private resources of this excellent lady. She often supplied the workers with light and firing through the long winter evenings. By the peasantry, who are ever deeply touched by kindness, she was loved and venerated. Gratitude is one of the virtues of the poor: its cultivation rests upon those whom fortune has placed above them. A thousand marks of grateful attachment cheered her through her good work. On occasions of her return from absences from home, the poor people would gather round her gate, where they had hung their garlands, and cheer her, as she passed along, with a loud, joyous welcome, which came from their very hearts and reached hers. About twelve months ago, when her return from a short absence was expected, the melancholy news of her death was received. Her funeral arrived: her last resting-place was among the people she had loved and served to the latest moment of her life. At the close of the affecting rite, the poor girls, who had been her especial care, could no

longer restrain their burst of agony-indeed, the tears of all, old and young, fell fast. It will be a satisfaction to our readers to learn that the youthful daughters of their truly Christian mother, as yet scarcely past their childhood, devote themselves to the establishment which she founded; they carry on the extensive correspondence necessary for the promotion of its interests; they keep all the accounts, make the payments, and all the work passes through their hands. The labour is sanctified to them by knowing that they thus fulfil the wishes of their departed mother, and that, through their instrumentality, many a heart is lightened.

The demand for the work done in this establishment and in the Industrial Schools is so great, that it cannot be supplied fast enough. Every day large consignments are sent to England, and are extending to France, Germany, and America. We trust that such success may stimulate to new exertions, and that similar schools may be established in various directions. It is evident that a great industrial movement has commenced in Ireland: happy are they who urge it on!

The idleness of the peasantry of Ireland, whatever habits it may have engendered, is not a willing idleness; there is sufficient evidence of an eagerness for work. The teachers at the schools, of which we have taken this brief notice, can tell how the poor children flock to entreat for work: they, indeed, best can tell, who have the pain of sending away many, for the lack of means of employing more. Those who conduct public works can tell what crowds of labourers press for the labour which cannot afford employment to the hundredth part of those who apply for it; they, indeed, best can tell the eagerness for work, on whom the painful task devolves of disappointing expectation. But there are still more affecting proofs of that eagerness for work in the deserted home-so passionately loved, though poor and scant; in the sad farewells of kindred and of friends, never again to meet on this side of the grave; in the crowded ships which bear their tens of thousands of poor emigrants across the Atlantic, that, in another land, they

"May beg a brother of the earth
To give them leave to toil."