CHAP. XXVI. MANUFACTURERS. 271 



and silver to other purposes than the fabrication of 

 money takes place in London ; but in Birming- 

 ham much gold and some silver are annually applied 

 to various ornamental purposes. In Sheffield 

 there is much use of silver, chiefly for plating. 

 In Liverpool and Chester many watches and some 

 jewellery are produced, and those articles which 

 are liable to the duty are assayed at the latter place. 

 At Derby there are several manufacturers of jewel- 

 lery and gold articles, who produce goods of a 

 quality superior in the fineness of the metal to 

 those made commonly in Birmingham, but perhaps 

 inferior to the best London jewellery. At New- 

 castle, York, and Exeter, are manufactures of gold 

 and silver goods, and of jewellery. In Scotland 

 and in Ireland 1 the goods they make, which 

 are not liable to duty, bear probably the same 

 proportion to those chargeable with it, as is found 

 in the manufacturing towns in England. 



There are few towns in this kingdom where 

 there are not to be found some gold and silver- 

 smiths, who use greater or less quantities of the 

 two metals. Plain gold rings, and gold chains 

 from wire of appropriate size, are commonly made 

 by such workmen, and though the quantity by 

 each individual is small, yet the consumption of 

 the whole number must be of considerable though 

 unknown amount. 



1 See Appendix, No. 13. 



