Hard times.
--The approach of the Christmas holidays, the unsettled condition of the country, and the difficulty experienced in making collections, because of the general financial derangement, will cause many of our mechanics and manufacturers to curtail their forces this evening, and thus be the means of throwing out of employment a large number of industrious, hard-working men, whose families are entirely dependent on them for the necessaries of life. If the present mate of affairs continue for many months, the sufferings among the working classes will be far greater than was ever known before, unless the wealthy portion of our citizens are exceedingly liberal with their charities.
