. 106 REPORT—1846. 
point of production. But in order to add materially to the make of iron, a 
great variety of circumstances must be brought to concur. One of the 
greatest difficulties with which the manufacturers have to contend in such 
circumstances is offered by the workmen, who naturally enough, perhaps, 
strive to obtain for themselves the largest possible share of the increased value 
of that which they produce. To be of much use in any branch of this ma- 
nufacture a man must have undergone a season of instruction, and as the 
number of skilled workmen is limited, these, whenever any great or unwonted 
demand arises, hardly know how to set limits to their demands. On this 
subject, a recent number of the ‘ Merthyr Guardian’ contains the following 
paragraph. 
* Prosperity in the Iron Trade.— We believe the iron trade in this district 
was rarely ever known to be in a more thriving state than at the present 
time. Forgemen and puddlers realize from 10/. to 182. per month. But 
this state of prosperity brings its attendant snare, inasmuch as the surplus 
which should be accumulating in the Savings’ Banks, is in too many cases 
squandered in debauchery or lavished in vice. The state of things calls 
loudly for a remedy.” 
This complaint will not surprise us when we call to mind the fearful de- 
scription of the state of the population of Merthyr, read before this section 
of the Association at Cambridge, by Mr. Kenrick. But the same complaint 
is made in other quarters, and there is but too much reason to fear that it 
might be universally preferred. In a letter now before me, an extensive 
iron-master in the north of England writes on the 15th of August last,—“ The 
cost of making iron from the recent spirt of prosperity has increased so 
enormously that the ‘ prosperity’ has well-nigh ruined many makers! wages 
are so ruinously raised.” 
A gentleman writes from Scotland in June 1845,—* This is the present 
position of the trade. The speculators were first bitten by the mania of an- 
ticipated consumption; then the masters took the fever, and, as was to be 
expected, the workmen follow, and say they must have a rise of wages equi- 
valent to the 110s. price. It is nothing to them that iron has again fallen; 
they say, first put us up equivalent to the high price before you can ask us 
to conform to the present. The iron-master will therefore find that he must 
give the wages corresponding to 110s., although he may sell at ‘70s. or less.” 
It is understood that chiefly from this cause the cost price of iron in Scotland 
has been increased about 15s. per ton. 
May we not reasonably allow ourselves to indulge the hope, that at some 
future, and perhaps not very distant day, the two classes of employers and 
workmen may come to the better understanding of their mutual interest, so 
that the sun of prosperity, whenever it arises, may shine equally for both ? 
Statements were inserted in the course of last year in the ‘ Mining Journal,’ 
and were made the subject of remark by different persons without impugn- 
ing their accuracy, to the effect that the make of iron in Great Britain during 
1845 would amount to about 1,330,000 tons. If the statement concerning 
the production in Scotland already mentioned should be correct, this would 
leave for the make in England and Wales 917,500 tons, being 134,000 tons 
less than the quantity stated by Mr. Mushet as made in 1839, and 238,000 
less than the produce of 1840, as given by Mr. Jessop. The increase in 
Scotland during the five years was, on the other hand, 171,500 tons, thus 
leaving the whole produce of 1845 less than that of 1840 by 66,500 tons. 
It will doubtless appear extraordinary, that with so much cause for increa- 
sing the quantity as had arisen last year out of the actual and anticipated 
demand for railway purposes, the produce in England and Wales should not 
