nothing of manure, will have to be planted in its hard ground before it either blossoms like the rose or pays its debts.  This district was originally brought into active existence by John Horrocks, Esq., the founder of the Preston cotton trade.  Prior to his time there were a few people in it who believed that 10s. a week was a good wage, and that Nixon’s Book of Prophecies was an infallible guide; but not before he planted in the locality a body of hand-loom weavers did it show signs of commercial vivacity, and begin to develope itself.  Handloom weaving is now about as hopeless a job as trying to extract sunlight out of cucumbers; but at that time it was a paying air.  Weavers could then afford to play two or three days a week, earn excellent wages, afterwards wear top boots, and then thrash their wives in comfort without the interference of policemen.  They and their immediate descendants belonged to a crooked and perverse generation.  Cock-fighting, badger-baiting, poaching, drinking, and dog-worrying formed their sovereign delights; and they were so amazingly rude and dangerous, that even tax collectors durst not, at times, go amongst them for money.  Men of this stamp would be much appreciated at present.  The population has thickened, and civilisation has penetrated into the region since then; and yet the “animal” preponderates rather largely in it now.  Rats, pigeons, dogs, and Saturday night eye openers—­toned down with canary breeding, ale-supping, herb-gathering, and Sunday afternoon baking—­still retain a mild hold upon the affections of the people, and many of the youthful race are beginning to imitate their elders admirably in all these little particulars.  A pack of hounds was once kept for general enjoyment in “New Preston;” but that pack has “gone to the dogs”—­ hasn’t been heard of for years.

During the past quarter of a century what missionary breakfast men call a “great work” has been done by way of evangelising the people in this quarter of the town; and very much of it has been achieved through St. Mary’s Church and schools.  For a very long period the schools in connection with St. Mary’s have formed an excellent auxiliary of the church.  Prior to the erection of the church, scholastic work was carried on in some cottages on the north side of what is now termed New Hall-lane.  The scholars were then in the care of the Parish Church.  When St. Paul’s was erected they were handed over to it.  Afterwards, when St. Mary’s was raised, a building was provided for them in a street just opposite, which has undergone many alterations and enlargements since, owing to the great increase in the number of scholars.  The principal room of the schools is the largest in Preston, with one exception—­the assembly room of the Corn Exchange.  A little cottage-house looking place, up New Hall-lane, constitutes a “branch” of the schools.  The average week-day attendance is about 900; whilst on a Sunday the gathering of scholars is about 1,200.  At the schools, on Sundays,