XrtANsAoi'lONS OF THE SECTIONS. 87 



one or more religious tracts, which they were in the habit of receiving from visitors 

 who called and exchanged them periodically. 



On the Economic Statistics of Sheffield. By a Committee. 

 Sheffield is known abroad chiefly by its cutlery ; but it is not less celebrated at 

 home for its silver and plated productions. Those engaged in the latter species of 

 work have not been subject to the same vicissitudes as the cutlers, but have been con- 

 stantly in full work, and receiving high wages. The following table shows the value 

 of British-made plate for a series of years. It must be borne in mind that the goods 

 are generally of an inferior quality : — 



1829 £177,830 1833 £179,283 



1830 190,515 1834 192,269 



1831 188,144 1835 231,903 



1832 173,593 



The annual consumption of these goods in England is estimated at 1,200,000L 

 The earnings of the men vary, in proportion to their skill, from 18s. to 42s. per week, 

 and some receive much more. The unions among the workmen are rich, and should 

 any master resist their dictation, they can afford a handsome allowance weekly; but 

 the restrictions imposed by these unions are not so severe as in other trades, partly 

 on account of the variety of work, and partly on account of the superior intelligence 

 of the workmen. The number of operatives is a little over 400. They have sick 

 societies, separate from the unions, which afford efficient relief to those who have 

 been incapable of working 'for three successive months. 



The saw-manufacture is next in importance. The workmen are remarkable for 

 sobriety, intelligence, and good conduct. They have unions, which regulate wages, 

 the number of apprentices, and afford relief in sickness. There are 208 journeymen, 

 about twenty of whom are not in union ; the number of boys is 130, which exceeds 

 what is allowed by the rules of the trade. The wages vary according to work and 

 skill, but may be stated at from 24s. to 32s. per week. Piece-work is still more un- 

 certain, ranging from 28s. to 45s. Wages are about the same now as in 1814, but 

 work has been increased 25 per cent. The trade depends on foreign orders, and is 

 subject to great fluctuations. The edge-tool manufactory employs about 200 foremen, 

 200 strikers, and 50 apprentices. The average of the wages, supposing a man to work 

 eleven hours per day, is, foreman 34s., and strikers 22s. : they all work by the piece. 

 The labour is severe, and produces exhaustion, which leads to vicious excesses and 

 intoxication. The spring-knife manufacturers are among the worst paid in the town, 

 and suffer more than any others in seasons of commercial distress. Their numbers 



are — 



Spring, knife hafters 1400 



Scale and spring forgers 150 



Blade-forgers 300 



Pocket-blade grinders 100 



Pen-blade grinders 300 



Apprentices "00 



Total 2800 



In the first manufactories of the town, the average of wages is from l6s. to 25s. 

 per week; but in many inferior manufactories they receive only from 12*. to l6s. 

 The tools required by these men are few and simple ; and hence, in periods of dis- 

 tress, they manufacture for themselves, and sell the goods to hardware dealers, &c., 

 which produces still greater depression in the trade. These operatives marry early, 

 and have generally large families. 



The file-trade employs 1420 men, 700 boys, and 100 women : the wages vary con- 

 siderably, as the work is paid by the piece ; but the following is the average :— 



£ s. d. 



Forgers — Double-hand, average 2 19 7* 



Single-hand 1 H 10 



Saw-file 1 3 7 



* Foreman, 1/. 12*. lOrf. ; Striker, 1/. 6«. 9rf. 



