88 REPORT— 1841 



File-cutters — A man, average 12 6 



A man and boy 1 11 8 



f A man and two boys 2 6 



A grinder 1 14 



Ditto, with a boy „ 2 7 4 



Scourer (a woman) 9 



The filers are inferior to the platers, but are superior to the grinders, &c. The num- 

 ber of clubs among the operatives in Sheffield is 56. The numbers in 1839 only amount 

 to 7978 ; and the whole stock, belonging to 38 clubs, is 53,373Z. There are no ac- 

 counts of the numbers in 17 clubs, and of the funds in 18. The number of secret 

 orders is 36, containing 2940 members. 



On the Vital Statistics of Sheffield, prepared by a local Committee, and for- 

 warded to the Section by Dr. Holland. 



It began by describing the position of the town, showing how favourably it was 

 circumstanced in respect to ventilation, drainage, and supply of water. It had ad- 

 vanced very rapidly both in population and wealth ; but though no data existed for 

 determining the latter, it was believed that wealth had advanced in the greater ratio. 

 Sheffield did not possess many large capitalists ; the nature of the trades followed in 

 the town did not require any expensive outlay in stock and machinery. A remark- 

 able proof of its advancement was, that in the middle of the last century there was only 

 one commercial traveller employed in the town ; there is now scarcely an establish- 

 ment that does not employ one or more. The following table shows the increase of 

 population :— 



In 1736 16,000. 



1801 31,000, an increase of 2 per cent, per annum. 



1811 53,000 U per cent. 



1821 65,000 2 per cent. 



1831 91.000 34 per cent. 



1841 117,000 21 per cent. 



The value of property in Sheffield had been greatly diminished by the cessation of 

 foreign demand ; and this had principally affected the cutlers, who depend on the ex- 

 port trade, but had not seriously injured the silversmiths and platers, who look to 

 the home market. In no place perhaps have the poor-rates exhibited such extraor- 

 dinary variations. In 1801 they were 7200L ; but in 1820 they rose to 23,000?., 

 out of a rental which, it is supposed, did not exceed 46,000?. In 1825 they were re- 

 duced to 6000Z. ; in 1836, to 5000?. ; and in 1837, to 4000?. The present amount 

 is 6500?. ; and the distress at the present moment is believed to be greater than it 

 has ever been before. Trades in which combinations and associations exist, are 

 found to become claimants on charity less frequently than those which are uncom- 

 bined. This is attributed by the author of the Report to the habits of foresight and 

 prudence which arise from trade societies for a common object. One branch of trade, 

 within the last four years, paid to unemployed workmen in the same line not less 

 than 2000?. The author of the Report then entered into a comparison of the con- 

 dition of the operatives in Sheffield with those of Liverpool, Leeds, and Manchester, 

 for the purpose of showing that enormous capitals are not favourable to the happi- 

 ness of the general body ; and that the greatest misery must be expected in the vi- 

 cinity of the greatest wealth. He dwelt particularly on the fact, that the operatives 

 of Sheffield usually have a house to themselves ; and that there is nothing in that 

 town similar to the cellars of Liverpool, or the lodgings of Manchester. The danger 

 to life involved in the manufactures at Sheffield, was illustrated by a comparison of 

 the numbers who die beyond the age of 70 in that town and in other districts. 



Out of every 1000 deaths the average above 70 is 145 for England and Wales. 



210 for the Northern and Western Ridings of Yorkshire. 



104 for London. 

 66 for Sheffield. 

 63 for Liverpool and Manchester. 



