Several sets of the rollers, with their spindles, are fixed in one wooden frame ; the spindles are all outside, and the wood en frames:are generally double, to contain two rows of the frames of rollers, by which they take up less space. The spindles are divided, as described, to cor respond with the rollers, that when any thread breaks, not more of them may be stopped than this small number. Each set of rollers, and their attendant spindles, are stopped instantly by raising a little socket turtling on the upright axis, which elevates a small vertical bolt that passes through the small drum to a projecting arm on the lower part of the axis; above which arm, when this bolt is raised, the communication between the drum and the axis ceases, and the drum remains at rest, while the axis revolves within it un interrupted.
By similar contrivances the drum which gives motion to all the small drums in One wooden frame, can be stopped at pleasure. Each horizontal shaft, which sets the large drums of a whole room in motion, may also be stopped at pleasure, and this system pervades the whole mill, by which means, when any one part be comes damaged, it may be stopped with out interrupting the motion of the rest.
In some mills, instead of the large drums, toothed wheels are placed, which impel round small shafts, that pass be neath the frames, where, by correspond ing wheels, they turn small-toothed wheels on every upright axis beneath each small drum ; but the motion given by the large drums and bands, is account ed to be more steady and uniform than that thus produced.
The general machinery of the cotton mill, by which the various engines de scribed are set in motion, is as follows : The moving power, whether a fall of water, or a steam engine, is, by interven ing wheels, adapted to its nature, made to turn round a vertical shaft, which passes through all the stories or floors of which the mill consists; in each of which it is furnished with a horizontal toothed wheel, which gives motion to a vertical wheel, to which is attached a horizontal shaft going across one end of the floor, which gives motion to two or more other horizontal shafts, according to the breadth of the building, which run the whole length of the story ; these give motion again to small vertical shafts, which sustain the large drums that set the spinning frames in motion. The horizontal shafts have also drums on them, from whence bands proceed, by which the carding engines and machines are turned. What is said of the general arrangement of the mill work can only be understood in a general sense, for the number and posi tion of the horizontal shafts, set in motion by the vertical shaft, must vary according to the nature of the buildings, and the disposition of the frames in each floor of them. Where it can be done, it is best to have the vertical shaft placed in the middle of the building, with the horizon tal shafts proceeding from both sides of it at every floor, for thus the horizontal shafts sustain less of that twisting motion, which is very injurious to them, and to which they would be more liable, if of the whole length of the building.
The spinning frames are attended by children, to piece the threads when they break, and the whole attendance of the various engines is for the most part per formed by children also. The numbers employed of persons of this tender age in some large mills amount to some hun dreds.
Some of the great cotton mills were worked incessantly night and day, and different sets of children relieved each other in succession in attending them. This system was found to be very inju rious to the children. An act of parlia ment was passed enforcing salutary regu lations on these points, which has been warmly seconded by the humane proprie tors of some of the most eminent mills ; who have their buildings now well venti lated and warmed, (by means contrived by gentlemen best skilled in such matters) have them kept constantly clean and sweet by obvious methods, and have not only the health of the children further preserved by proper attention to their food, clothing, and personal cleanliness ; but also have them taught to read and write, and take care that they receive in, structions as to their morals and religion, both of which were shamefully neglected in former times. All that remains to be wished now on this head is, that in those situations, where avaricious masters wish to evade the act, or do not choose to pay proper attention to the children in other respects, that humane people may be found, who will interpose, and compel them to do their duty, and either by Sun day schools, or other proper means, ef fect that the children may receive those instructions, without which they can never be worthy members of society. After the cotton is spun, it is usually made up into Warps fit for the weavers before it leaves the mills ; this operation is performed on the following engine : The Warping Aria. The warping mill consists of a light frame-work, which forms the outline of an octagonal prism, or one of more numerous sides, about six feet diameter, and seven feet high, that is turned round on a vertical axis by a band, that passes from a grooved wheel on the axis to another grooved wheel that is turned by a winch, and is placed under the seat on which the warper sits ; the bobbins which sustain the twist are placed on a vertical rack suspended from the ceiling, and the threads from them pass between two small upright rollers, on a piece of wood which slides perpendicu larly along an upright bar, fixed at one side of the revolving frame ; a small cord passes, from a part of the axis that rises above the frame, over a pulley at the top of the fixed bar, down to the sliding guide, which it slowly draws up, by coil ing round the axis as the frame turns round; by which means the yarn is wound spirally about the frame, to the length which the warp is required ; to which ex tent, when the yarn arrives, it is crossed on pins projecting from the frame, and the mill is turned the reverse way ; by which the slide descends, and the yarn is laid along the same spiral downwards, along which it before ascended.