Pagina 680 van 2651

This diminution of price has, in the course of the present and

preceding century, been most remarkable in those manufactures of

which the materials are the coarser metals. A better movement of

a watch, than about the middle of the last century could have

been bought for twenty pounds, may now perhaps be had for twenty

shillings. In the work of cutlers and locksmiths, in all the toys

which are made of the coarser metals, and in all those goods

which are commonly known by the name of Birmingham and Sheffield

ware, there has been, during the same period, a very great

reduction of price, though not altogether so great as in

watch-work. It has, however, been sufficient to astonish the

workmen of every other part of Europe, who in many cases

acknowledge that they can produce no work of equal goodness for

double or even for triple the price.