66 
Messrs. Joseph Massey and Co. The quantity of worsted yarn 
spun was over 7,200lbs. weekly. The transit was by means of 
canal and road. Five coaches were plying to Burnley: one from 
Leeds to Preston, through Burnley, known as the Invincible ; 
three coaches went to Manchester, and one to Skipton. An ad- 
vertisement of the time gives a notice that the Leeds Union Co. 
have a regular set of vessels sail daily (except 'Tuesday) to Foul- 
ridge, Gargrave, Skipton, Kildwick, Bingley, and Leeds; and a 
fly-boat daily to the above places (except Tuesday). They also 
conveyed goods to Liverpool, through Enfield, Blackburn and 
Wigan. The land carriers went to Manchester every Monday 
and Thursday, returning Wednesday and Saturday. 
Between the 19th June, 1822, and the 19th May, 1824, a 
period of one year and 11 months only, no fewer than 416 new 
houses had been erected in Burnley. This state of prosperity 
was however rudely stopped by the failure of Holgate’s bank, which 
took place in 1824 or 1825. This catastrophe was a great blow to 
the trade and prosperity of the town and several of the manu- 
facturers, and many shop-keepers were brought to ruin by this 
event. It is related in the life of Samuel Hick, the Wes- 
leyan village blacksmith, that he resided here for about three 
months during this period of general distress. He relates 
that one circumstance which affected him almost more than any 
other which came under his observation, was the case of a poor 
child whom he saw sitting and satisfying the cravings of hunger 
by devouring some grains which had been brought from a brew- 
house. When Hick had parted with all the money he had brought 
with him to Burnley, he cast about for further means. He asked 
some friends whether something could not be done by way of 
public subscription. He was answered that the manufacturers 
were equally distressed with the persons they employed, but he 
was informed that there was one gentleman in the neighbourhood 
of great opulence, who was capable of imparting seasonable and 
adequate relief, but as he was a member of the Roman Catholic 
Church, he might not be quite accessible to persons making 
Protestant appeals. Sammy, as he was called, was unable to 
induce anyone to accompany him, so mounting his horse he found 
his way to Towneley Hall. He had an interview with the late 
Mr. Peregrine Towneley, to whom he related his tale of woe. 
The owner of Towneley was touched with the simplicity of the 
village blacksmith, and being convinced of his integrity of pur- 
pose he fell in with his views. The result was that a public 
subscription was started which Mr. Towneley headed with a gift 
of £150. This relief was dispensed to the poor, and I have often 
heard old inhabitants speak of this hard year as the “‘ dole” time. 
In the year 1853, within the limits of the present Municipal 
Borough, there were 52 firms engaged in the cotton trade, and 
