140] A TOPOGRAPHICAL, &c. 



All the neighbouring counties, to a considerable distance, are sup- 

 plied by means of the numerous canals of which Birmingham con- 

 stitutes the centre. Besides this, an immense quantity of coal is 

 required for the iron-works, which are established in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Dudley to the amount of 68. These smelted an im- 

 mense quantity of iron ; probably more than the quantity manufac- 

 tured in all the rest of Great Britain. But the low price to which 

 iron has of late sunk, (about c9. or c10. sterling per ton) has in a 

 great measure destroyed this formerly lucrative manufacture. No 

 less than 32 of the 68 furnaces have stopped, or been blown out, as 

 the phrase is in Staffordshire. The Welsh iron manufacturers, it 

 seems, produce a greater proportion of iron from their ore, and work 

 with less coals than they can do in this county. They are able, 

 in consequence, to undersell them. This opposition has been 

 carried so far as to sink the price of iron much lower than it 

 seems possible to manufacture it at. Before the late peace it sold 

 at <18. per ton, which was almost double its present price. 



There are also extensive tracts of coal country in the northern 

 parts of this county, and collieries are now working at Kidcrew, 

 Apedale, Silverdale, Cobridge, &c. to all of which the preceding 

 remarks are generally applicable. A correct account of one of the 

 principal collieries in this district, is given in the account of the 

 POTTERIES. 



