WOOL. 57 



and last the Power-loom, which substituted mechanical for hu- 

 man power in the forming of the cloth. A similar machinery 

 was applied to the spinning and weaving of wool, and the 

 whole processes of the art were changed. The variety, qua- 

 lity, and cheapness of the productions increased in a won- 

 derful degree ; and, notwithstanding the amazing extension 

 of the use of cotton in furniture, clothing, and dress, the con- 

 sumption of wool in England has not only not diminished, 

 but is at this time greater than in any former age. 



The number of Sheep in the British Islands has been va- 

 riously computed at from thirty to thirty-five millions. Tak- 

 ing the latter sum, which probably falls below the real 

 amount, and assuming the produce, after making allowance 

 for the deficient weight of the wool of slaughtered sheep and 

 lambs, to be 4| lb. the fleece, the total quantity produced 

 will be . ... 157,500,000 lb. 



Whereof are exported in the raw state, 4,603,799 



Leaving to be manufactured, . 152,896,201 lb. 



And assuming the price to be Is. 3d. per lb., 



the value of the raw material will be L.9,556,012 11 3 

 The value of foreign wool imported, 



56,700,895 lb. at 2s. 6d., is . 7,087,61117 6 



L.16,643,624 8 9 



Supposing, then, the value of the manufactured commo- 

 dity to be 2| times that of the raw material, the value of 

 manufactured woollen goods produced in Britain will be 

 L.41,609,061 : 1 : 10. 



This great national manufacture supplies a larger internal 

 consumption than takes place in any other country ; and affords 

 a surplus, valued at between six and seven millions sterling, 

 besides yarn, valued at about half a million, for an export 

 trade to all parts of the world, being more than one-eighth 



