On the Berlin Cast-iron Ornaments, 885 



If we reckon the pi-ice of the grey iron from which these or- 

 naments are made at 6s. per cwt. on an average, we find that 

 the value of the material is increased 1100 times in the coarser 

 articles, and 9827 times in the finest. 



The above are the retail prices, and wholesale prices are pro- 

 bably ^th or Jth less : but we must remark that, compared with 

 the old prices, the present ones are much fallen. About six 

 years ago they were twice as high, and twelve years ago three 

 times ; so that, at that time, Berlin cast-iron was nearly of equal 

 value with gold, — a remarkable example, and perhaps one of the 

 strongest proofs of the influence of the industry of manufacturers 

 on the wealth of the state, especially when we consider that the 

 cast-iron ornaments are made of native material, and exported 

 in large quantities abroad, and even indeed to America. It is 

 so much the more to be regretted, that, owing to the imitation 

 system which already prevails to a great extent, a branch of na- 

 tive industry, once so flourishing, should threaten to fall gradu- 

 ally into decay. The facility of imitation of the most saleable 

 objects, by purchasing them at a low price, using them as mo- 

 dels, and then casting articles of the same description, enables 

 the imitator to offer his goods at such a low price, that the in- 

 dustrious original manufacturer who has been at the expense of 

 much time and capital in the designing and forming a brass 

 model, finds it impossible to enter into competition with him. 

 On the one hand, therefore, the manufacturer cannot venture to 

 expend much capital on new models which do not repay the out- 

 lay ; and on the other, by repeated casting, the articles lose 

 much of their sharpness and beauty, and the natural conse- 

 quence (and which is already perceptible) is, that their reputa- 

 tion abroad must sink ; and notwithstanding the moderate prices, 

 the sale must decline. On this account, some of the best manu- 

 facturers have given up the business, and the task of improving 

 and perfecting this branch of industry now rests in the hands 

 of a few. 



The piracy of locks is regarded as dishonourable, and against 

 the laws ; in technical manufactures new discoveries and im- 

 provements can be secured by patents ; the cast-iron manufac 

 ture only is unprotected, and imitation allowed to be carried on 

 openly and freely. 



