176 THE MODERN HISTORY OF SILK. 



imports of silk into Britain' during the year ending- 

 .5th January, 1825, amounted to three millions, three 

 hundred and eighty-two thousand, three hundred and 

 fifty-seven pounds weight, of which one million, 

 seven hundred and sixteen thousand, seven hundred 

 and thirty-two pounds were furnished by Italy, and 

 .one million, three hundred and seven thousand, three 

 hundred pounds came from the East Indies and 

 China. 



In the year 1825, the silk trade was at a high 

 pitch ; and, as a staple article, added greatly to the 

 revenue of the country, as will be seen from the above 

 table, exhibiting the immense quantity of raw silk 

 imported. Besides, it afforded employment to a great 

 many individuals. Mr Wilson, a well informed and 

 extensive silk manufacturer of that time, said, " I calcu- 

 late that forty thousand are employed in throwing silk 

 for the weaver, whose wages will, I think, amount to 

 350,000 sterling. I estimate that half a million of 

 pounds of soap, and a large proportion of the most 

 costly dye stuffs are consumed, at a farther expense 

 of 300,000 ; and that 265,000 more are paid to 

 sixteen thousand five hundred winders, to prepare it. 

 The number of looms may be taken at forty thousand, 

 and, including weavers, warpers, mechanics, harur^ 

 makers, enterers, twisters, cone spreaders, quill 

 winders, and draw boys, at two hands to a loom, 

 will employ eighty thousand more persons, and the 

 wages amount to three millions sterling. If we 

 include infants and dependants, about four hundred 



