It must be understood that water-power alone is used for preparing the cotton and working the spindles and looms of the cotton mills.  Steam is applied in the two establishments in which the cottons are printed, for the purposes of printing, but I think nowhere else.  When the mills are at full work, about two and a half million yards of cotton goods are made every week, and nearly a million pounds of cotton are consumed per week, (i e. 842,000 lbs.,) but the consumption of coal is only 30,000 tons in the year.  This will give some idea of the value of the water-power.  The Pawtucket Canal was, as I say, bought, and Lowell was commenced.  The town was incorporated in 1826, and the railway between it and Boston was opened in 1835, under the superintendence of Mr. Jackson, the gentleman by whom the purchase of the canal had in the first instance been made.  Lowell now contains about 40,000 inhabitants.

The following extract is taken from the hand-book to Lowell:  “Mr. F. C. Lowell had, in his travels abroad, observed the effect of large manufacturing establishments on the character of the people, and in the establishment at Waltham the founders looked for a remedy for these defects.  They thought that education and good morals would even enhance the profit, and that they could compete with Great Britain by introducing a more cultivated class of operatives.  For this purpose they built boarding-houses, which, under the direct supervision of the agent, were kept by discreet matrons”—­I can answer for the discreet matrons at Lowell—­“mostly widows, no boarders being allowed except operatives.  Agents and overseers of high moral character were selected; regulations were adopted at the mills and boarding-houses, by which only respectable girls were employed.  The mills were nicely painted and swept”—­I can also answer for the painting and sweeping at Lowell—­“trees set out in the yards and along the streets, habits of neatness and cleanliness encouraged; and the result justified the expenditure.  At Lowell the same policy has been adopted and extended; more spacious mills and elegant boarding-houses have been erected;” as to the elegance, it may be a matter of taste, but as to the comfort, there is no question—­“the same care as to the classes employed; more capital has been expended for cleanliness and decoration; a hospital has been established for the sick, where, for a small price, they have an experienced physician and skillful nurses.  An institute, with an extensive library, for the use of the mechanics, has been endowed.  The agents have stood forward in the support of schools, churches, lectures, and lyceums, and their influence contributed highly to the elevation of the moral and intellectual character of the operatives.  Talent has been encouraged, brought forward, and recommended.”  For some considerable time the young women wrote, edited, and published a newspaper among themselves, called the Lowell Offering.  “And Lowell