THE COTTON TRADE. 367 



We may add, that at the present time the total number of spindles 

 employed in the cotton manufactures of Britain is estimated at 34,000,000, 

 and that the cotton industry of the rest of the world is estimated to be, 

 collectively, equal to that of the United Kingdom. 



The space at our disposal scarcely permits us to glance at the manu- 

 factures of the New England States. They have been stimulated into 

 existence by the protective duties levied by the Federal Government, 

 which in some cases are almost equivalent to a prohibition against foreign 

 goods. Under the protection thus afforded, the number of spindles at 

 work rose from 8,000 in 1804, to 2,754,078 in 1850 ; while in 1854 their 

 products were valued at about 12,000,000^. sterling. 



We have the history of the rise and progress of the various branches of 

 manufacture in the manufacturing districts of Britain to warrant us in the 

 conclusion that priority of selection — others things being equal — exercises 

 an enduring influence in permanently locating a particular branch of 

 industry. We have noticed how Manchester early became the seat of the 

 manufacture of textile fabrics, by reason of the encouragement given by the 

 municipal authorities, and we have seen how that branch of industry has 

 clung to the place of its birth through succeeding generations. Other 

 instances might be cited. Glasgow was the genial birth-place of successful 

 power-loom weaving, and still retains a pre-eminence in that branch. 

 Nottingham was the refuge of the first promoters of the stocking-frame, 

 and of the subsequent inventors of bobbin-net lace manufacture, and with 

 the adjacent county of Derby, is still the chief seat of those industries. 

 Undoubtedly there were important considerations which influenced 

 selection, and which could not be over-ruled by favours within the gift of 

 localities. When power spinning and weaving were first successfully intro- 

 duced, sites otherwise inconvenient were selected which offered considerable 

 water power. Watt relieved the cotton spinners from the necessity of 

 seeking power at the expense of other advantages. Then the extensive 

 employment of steam induced the establishment of factories where coal is 

 abundant. The improvements that have been made in the steam engine, 

 and the consequent economy of fuel has rendered this consideration even 

 of minor consequence : one ton of coal can now do as much work as three 

 tons did some years ago. Notwithstanding, however, the opposing circum- 

 stances here mentioned, the early establishment of any branch of industry 

 in a locality has exercised an important influence. How else shall we 

 account for the eminence of Sheffield in cutlery, Birmingham in hardware, 

 Bradford in worsted, and Leeds in the cloth trade ? 



