114 REPORT— 1839. 



In Egleton, where there is a resident clergyman, the establishment has 

 82 per cent, of the population ; and in Branstown, which is destitute 

 of this advantage, only 73 per cent. In conclusion, the Committee 

 report that their inquiries left a favourable impression as to the moral 

 condition of these places. Swearing and drunkenness are far from 

 common ; and the general conduct of the people is marked by sobriety, 

 frugality, and industry. 



Contributions to the Commercial Statistics of Birmingham, prepared 

 by a Local Committee. Presented by Francis Clark, Esq. 



This paper includes returns from the Savings' Bank, the Assay Office, 

 the Workhouse, and the Assessed Tax office, with a return of the steam 

 power employed in the borough ; and two others on the occupations 

 and weekly wages of mechanics. The savings' bank report showed the 

 satisfactory progress of this institution. It was established in 1827, 

 and at the close of that year 980 accounts had been opened, and 33 

 closed, 2,337 deposits were made, to the amount of 10,612/. ; the ave- 

 rage of each deposit was 4/. lOs. 9c?., and of each account 10/. 16s. 9d. 

 and the number of depositors 935. At the close of 1838, 1,597 ac- 

 counts had been opened during that year, and 454 closed; 9,136 

 deposits entered on the books, amounting to 47,362/. ; the average 

 of each deposit was 4/. 17^. 4c?., and of each account 17/. lis., and 

 the total number of depositors, 7,446. The amount of silver marked 

 at the Assay Office, from its establishment in 1774, has been 4,011,997 

 ounces; and the weight of gold marked from the year 1825, when 

 an Act was passed authorizing the assaying of gold manufactures, 

 has been 27,167 ounces. The total amount of duty received is 

 105,851/. A curious fact was mentioned in this return ; 25,000 

 gold wedding rings were assayed and marked at this office in last 

 year. The workhouse return was complete for 19 years, and ex- 

 hibited a classified report of the expenditure, with the average number 

 of paupers, the proceeds of their labour, &c. The return of assessed 

 taxes showed the amount collected in each year from 1817, and exhi- 

 bited a very satisfactory improvement in the state of the town. The 

 total amount of taxes collected in 1816 was about 36,000/., and the 

 sum paid in 1838, if calculated at the same rate, would have been con- 

 siderably more than 50,000/. The steam power employed in Birming- 

 ham is at the present time 3,436 horses power, of which 2,155 horses 

 power is employed in the metal trades of the town. The number of 

 steam engines is 240, of which 65 are high pressure, and the remainder 

 condensing engines. In the first 35 years after the introduction of 

 steam power, only 42 engines were set to work ; in the next 15 years 

 78 were erected, and in the last 8 years 120 have been established. 

 The consumption of coal is estimated at 240 tons per day, and the 

 number of persons employed at 5,200 males and 1,762 females. The 

 return of occupations comprised 791 members of a Provident Institu- 



