We can even anticipate, from anything that will facilitate fruitful investment by the working-classes, a still wider—­we might say, a political effect.  The chief defect in our otherwise sound social system, is the want of fusion between the class of employers and employed.  As some other countries are subject to the more serious evil of being without a middle-class between the aristocracy and the common people, so we want a sub-grade, as it were, between the middle and the working classes.  It is too much the practice to consider them as separated from each other by interests, tastes, and feelings.  It is, on the contrary, the real truth that their interests are indissolubly united; but if there were a less broad line separating them from each other, this would be more apparent.  The true way to fill up the gap happily for all parties, is not for the middle-class to descend, but the working-class to rise.  Nothing could better accomplish this, than imparting to them facilities for entering into business on a small scale on their own account.  The hopelessness with which the workman looks at the position of the employer, as that of a great capitalist, would then be turned into hope and endeavour.

It is often said, that the operative classes shew an unfortunate indisposition to advance onwards, and abandon their uniform routine of toil:  the answer to this is—­try them.  They have adopted the means at their command in other countries.  Mr Davis, an American gentleman, gave the select committee an animated view of the ambitious workmen of the New England states, where, he said, ’nobody is contented with his present condition—­everybody is struggling for something better.’  Now, to be discontented with one’s condition, in the shape of folding the arms, and abusing the fate that has not sent chance prosperity, is a bad thing; but the discontent—­if such it can be justly called—­which incites a man to rise in the world by honest exertions, is in every way a good thing.  Mr Davis said, he has been told that, in Lowell, some of the young women hold stock in the mills in which they work.  Imagine a factory-girl holding stock in a mill!

We believe that unlimited responsibility was really founded on the old prejudices against usury or interest; and as these prejudices are fast disappearing, we may hope speedily to see this relic of their operation removed.  Towards this end, let the operatives everywhere meet to consider this question, so important to their interests; and, as we believe they will generally see the propriety of furthering a law to establish commandite partnerships, let them petition the House of Commons accordingly.  Whether the classes with capital will move in the matter, is doubtful; for they are not the parties to be chiefly benefited.  The best way is not to trust to them on the subject; but for the working-classes to take the thing into their own hands, and spare no exertion to procure an act of parliament of the kind we speak of.  We feel assured, that such an act would do more to inspire hope among artisans, and to put them in the way of fortune, than any other law that could be mentioned.