BEESj BEE-HIVES, AND BEE CULTTJUE. 127 



in their daily avocations. The stand which we have quoted above, may afford 

 frvdlful study to such philanthropists as the Earl of Shaftesbury, who make 

 it their benevolent aim to elevate the masses, and the lesson hero given from 

 actual life will not be lost upon working men themselves. There are several 

 striking features worthy of notice in the "model factory." We can clearly 

 perceive that it has been established on a principle which is essential to the 

 success of any great concern — namely : the principle of a good understanding 

 amongst the operatives tliemselves, and between them and the head of the 

 establishment. What strikes us in this model factory is the unity of action 

 which reigns throughout. There is no jostling of rival interests, and no 

 misunderstandings, or cross purposes. The operatives in this establishment are 

 so numerous that wo question if any one has as yet been able to count their 

 number, and yet all seem to be working in perfect harmony, their joint 

 labour continually leading to one beautifal and sublime result. Another 

 feature specially noticeable in the establishment in question is the principle 

 of subordination. Singular to say, that while the operatives are males* 

 the foreman of this model factory is a female; but that circumstance 

 need not shock the sensibilities of our fair friends any more than it ought to 

 offend the prejudices of the sterner sex, inasmuch as the mighty empire of 

 Great Britaiu is ruled by the gentle hand of a female ; and moreover, in the 

 one case as in the other, the presiding genius, amids all her official cares and 

 duties, takes care to preserve the modesty of her sex. She never in the 

 slightest degree obtrudes herseK needlessly on public observation, and probably 

 on that very accoimt the respect shown to her by her subjects is the more 

 profound and devoted. There is, however, one particular in which we woidd 

 take leave to demur to the idea of this factory being in every respect regarded 

 as a " model." We have not been able tb discover that there is any particular 

 period of the day in which the operatives are allowed to take refreshments. 

 We, in England, have been accustomed to regard the dinner hour somewhat 

 in the light of a sacred institution. And if the council of the Koyal Agricul- 

 tural Society mean to set this up as a model institution, we are of opinion 

 that some explanation on this point is desirable. Indeed we have not been 

 able to discover that the operatives in this establishment take any refreshment 

 whatever. If they do, it must be " on the sly," vulgarly speaking. There - 

 is one peculiarity, however, which must tend to popularize this institution, 

 and which has served to make it one of the most attractive objects on the 

 show ground. It is the fashion in all the great factories which abound on 

 the banks of the Tyne and throughout the country generally to act on the 

 principle of exclusiveness to a very great extent, and perhaps wisely so. As 

 you approach the door you see an intimation in legible characters, "No 

 admission except on business." This may be very proper, but it is rather 

 tantalising. In the model factory which we are now describing all the opera- 

 tions are open to inspection. Every action is patent to the eye of the 

 spectator. This has been effected by a skilful contrivance, and it is this 

 contrivance in fact, which has entitled the inventor to obtain a place in the 

 show ground for his model factory, which he describesby the somewhat ambi- 

 guous term of " a new implement." But our readers may wish to learn what 

 • The reporter was in error as to the sex of the workers. 



