Arthur Freeling

“ Manchester is situated at the confluence of the rivers Irk and Irwell, in the County of Lancaster, the Hundred of Salford, and Diocese of Chester. It is 18 miles from Warrington, 186 from London, and about 33 from Liverpool. It is the principal seat of the Cotton Manufactories, and is fast adding the Silk to its already extensive trade; with its suburbs, including Salford, it contains 226,931 inhabitants. ”

“ Strangers are gratuitously admitted, and may have access to the books, from half-past eight o'clock till twelve in the morning, and from one to five in the afternoon.
The Portico
contains a Library and News-room. It is situated in Mosley-street. One Subscriber can admit a stranger to read the papers, magazines, &c. for three days—two Subscribers can extend the privilege for a month.
Manchester Subscription Library
is in Exchange-buildings, Ducie-place. It contains about 20,000 volumes, and has 400 subscribers. ”

“ The Markets
of Manchester are not so remarkable as those of Liverpool. The principal ones are, the New Market, in Brown1-street; the Fish Market, in Market- place; and the Town-Hall and Market, in Salford, all of which are exceedingly well supplied. ”