THE MODERN HISTOHY OF SILK. 18.') 



hundred and fifty-seven pounds weight, of which 

 one milUon, seven hundred and sixteen thousand, 

 seven hundred and thirty-two pounds, were fi- 

 nished by Italy, and one million, three hundred 

 and seven tliousand, three hundred pounds, came 

 from the East Indies and China. 



In the year 1825, the silk trade was at a high 

 pitch ; and, as a staple article, added greatly to the 

 revenue of the country, as will be seen from the 

 above table, exhibiting the immense quantity of raw 

 silk imported. Besides, it afforded employment to 

 a great many individuals. Mr Wilson, a well in- 

 formed and extensive silk manufacturer of that time, 

 said, " I calculate that forty thousand are employed 

 in throwing silk for the weaver, whose wages will, 

 I think, amount to £.350,000 sterling. I estimate 

 that half a million of pounds of soap, and a large 

 proportion of the most costly die stuffs are consumed, 

 at a farther expense of £.300,000 ; and that 

 £.265,000 more are paid to sixteen thousand five 

 hundred winders, to prepare it. The number of 

 looms may be taken at forty thousand, and, in- 

 cluding weavers, warpers, mechanics, harness 

 makers, enterers, twisters, cone-spreaders, quill- 

 winders, and draw-boys, at two hands to a loom, 

 will employ eighty thousand more persons, and the 

 wages amount to three millions sterling. If we 

 include infants and dependents, about four hundred 



