On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures, Charles Babbage [classic romance novels .TXT] 📗

often very

important, and they were perhaps never more remarkable than in

the bobbin net trade, in the years 1824 and 1825. These effects

were, however, considerably enhanced by the general rage for

speculation which was so prevalent during that singular period.

One of the patents of Mr Heathcote for a bobbin net machine had

just then expired, whilst another, for an improvement in a

particular part of such machines, called a turn again, had yet a

few years to run. Many licenses had been granted to use the

former patent, which were charged at the rate of about five

pounds per annum for each quarter of a yard in width, so that

what is termed a six-quarter frame (which makes bobbin net a yard

and a half wide) paid thirty pounds a year. The second patent was

ultimately abandoned in August, 1823, infringements of it having

taken place.

 

It was not surprising that, on the removal of the monopoly

arising from this patent, a multitude of persons became desirous

of embarking in a trade which had hitherto yielded a very large

profit. The bobbin net machine occupies little space; and is,

from that circumstance, well adapted for a domestic manufacture.

The machines which already existed, were principally in the hands

of the manufacturers; but, a kind of mania for obtaining them

seized on persons of all descriptions, who could raise a small

capital; and, under its influence, butchers, bakers, small

farmers, publicans, gentlemen’s servants, and, in some cases,

even clergymen, became anxious to possess bobbin net machines.

 

Some few machines were rented; but, in most of these cases,

the workman purchased the machine he employed, by instalments of

from L3 to L6 weekly, for a six quarter machine; and many

individuals, unacquainted with the mode of using the machines so

purchased, paid others of more experience for instructing them in

their use; L50 or L60 being sometimes given for this instruction.

The success of the first speculators induced others to follow the

example; and the machine-makers were almost overwhelmed with

orders for lace frames. Such was the desire to procure them, that

many persons deposited a large part, or the whole, of the price,

in the hands of the frame-makers, in order to insure their having

the earliest supply. This, as might naturally be expected, raised

the price of wages amongst the workmen employed in

machine-making; and the effect was felt at a considerable

distance from Nottingham, which was the centre of this mania.

Smiths not used to flat filing, coming from distant parts, earned

from 30s. to 42s. per week. Finishing smiths, accustomed to the

work, gained from L3 to L4 per week..The forging smith, if

accustomed to his work, gained from L5 to L6 per week, and some

few earned L10 per week. In making what are technically called

insides, those who were best paid, were generally clock-and

watchmakers, from all the districts round, who received from L3

to L4 per week. The setters-up—persons who put the parts of the

machine together—charged L20 for their assistance; and, a six

quarter machine, could be put together in a fortnight or three

weeks.

 

426. Good workmen, being thus induced to desert less

profitable branches of their business, in order to supply this

extraordinary demand, the masters, in other trades, soon found

their men leaving them, without being aware of the immediate

reason: some of the more intelligent, however, ascertained the

cause. They went from Birmingham to Nottingham, in order to

examine into the circumstances which had seduced almost all the

journeymen clockmakers from their own workshops; and it was soon

apparent, that the men who had been working as clockmakers in

Birmingham, at the rate of 25s. a week, could earn L2 by working

at lace frame-making in Nottingham.

 

On examining the nature of this profitable work, the master

clockmakers perceived that one part of the bobbin net machines,

that which held the bobbins, could easily be made in their own

workshops. They therefore contracted with the machine-makers, who

had already more work ordered than they could execute, to supply

the bobbin carriers, at a price which enabled them, on their

return home, to give such increased wages as were sufficient to

retain their own workmen, as well as yield themselves a good

profit. Thus an additional facility was afforded for the

construction of these bobbin net machines: and the conclusion was

not difficult to be foreseen. The immense supply of bobbin net

thus poured into the market, speedily reduced its price; this

reduction in price, rendered the machines by which the net was

made, less valuable; some few of the earliest producers, for a

short time, carried on a profitable trade; but multitudes were

disappointed, and many ruined. The low price at which the fabric

sold, together with its lightness and beauty, combined to extend

the sale; and ultimately, new improvements in the machines,

rendered the older ones still less valuable.

 

427. The bobbin net trade is, at present, both extensive and

increasing; and, as it may, probably, claim a larger portion of

public attention at some future time, it will be interesting to

describe briefly its actual state.

 

A lace frame on the most improved principle, at the present

day, manufacturing a piece of net two yards wide, when worked

night and day, will produce six hundred and twenty racks per

week. A rack is two hundred and forty holes; and as in the

machine to which we refer, three racks are equal in length to one

yard, it will produce 21,493 square yards of bobbin net annually.

Three men keep this machine constantly working; and, they were

paid (by piece-work) about 25s. each per week, in 1830. Two boys,

working only in the day-time, can prepare the bobbins for this

machine, and are paid from 2s. to 4s. per week, according to

their skill. Forty-six square yards of this net weigh two pounds

three ounces; so that each square yard weighs a little more than

three-quarters of an ounce.

 

428. For a condensed and general view of the present state of

this trade, we shall avail ourselves of a statement by Mr William

Felkin, of Nottingham, dated September, 1831, and entitled Facts

and Calculations illustrative of the Present State of the Bobbin

Net Trade. It appears to have been collected with care, and

contains, in a single sheet of paper, a body of facts of the

greatest importance. *

 

429. The total capital employed in the factories, for

preparing the cotton, in those for weaving the bobbin net, and in

various processes to which it is subject, is estimated at above

L2,000,000, and the number of persons who receive wages, at above

two hundred thousand.

 

Comparison of the value of the raw material imported, with the

value of the goods manufactured therefrom

 

Amount of Sea Island cotton annually used 1,600,000 lbs., value

L120,000; this is manufactured into yarn, weighing 1,000,000

lbs., value L500,000.

 

There is also used 25,000 lbs. of raw silk, which costs

L30,000, and is doubled into 10,000 lbs. thrown, worth L40,000.

 

Raw Material; Manufacture; Square yards produced; Value per sq.

yd.(s. d.); Total value (L)

 

Cotton 1,600,000; lbs; Power Net; 6,750,000; 1 3; 421,875

Hand ditto; 15,750,000; 1 9; 1,378,125

Fancy ditto; 150,000; 3 6; 26,250

Silk, 25,000 lbs; Silk Goods; 750,000; 1 9; 65,625

 

23,400,000; 1,891,875

 

* I cannot omit the opportunity of expressing my hope that this

example will be followed in other trades. We should thus obtain a

body ofinformation equally important to the workman, the

capitalist, the philosopher, and the statesman.

 

The brown nets which are sold in the Nottingham market are

in part disposed of by the agents of twelve or fifteen of the

larger makers, i.e. to the amount of about L250,000 a year. The

principal part of the remainder, i.e. about L1,050,000 a year, is

sold by about two hundred agents, who take the goods from one

warehouse to another for sale.

 

Of this production, about half is exported in the

unembroidered state. The exports of bobbin net are in great part

to Hamburgh, for sale at home and at Leipzic and Frankfort fairs.

Antwerp, and the rest of Belgium; to France, by contraband; to

Italy, and North and South America. Though a very suitable

article, yet the quantity sent eastward of the Cape of Good Hope,

has hitherto been too trifling for notice. Three-eighths of the

whole production are sold unembroidered at home. The remaining

one-eighth is embroidered in this country, and increases the

ultimate value as under, viz.

 

Embroidery Increases value Ultimate worth

L L

On power net 131,840 553,715

On hand net 1,205,860 2,583.985

On fancy net 78,750 105,000

On silk net 109,375 175,000

 

Total embroidery, wages and profits 1,525,825

Ultimate total value 3,417,700

 

From this it appears, that in the operations of this trade,

which had no existence twenty years ago, L120,000 original cost

of cotton becomes, when manufactured, of the ultimate value of

L3,242,700 sterling.

 

As to weekly wages paid, I hazard the following as the

judgement of those conversant with the respective branches, viz.

 

In fine spinning and doubling, adults 25s.; children 7s.:

work twelve hours per day.

 

In bobbin net making; men working machines, 18s.;

apprentices, youths of fifteen or more, 10s.; by power, fifteen

hours; by hand, eight to twelve hours, according to width.

 

In mending; children 4s.; women 8s.; work nine to fourteen

hours ad libitum.

 

In winding, threading, etc., children and young women, 5s.:

irregular work, according to the progress of machines.

 

In embroidery; children seven years old and upwards, 1s. to

3s.; work ten to twelve hours; women, if regularly at work, 5s.

to 7s. 6d.; twelve to fourteen hours.

 

As an example of the effect of the wages of lace embroidery,

etc., it may be observed, it is often the case that a stocking

weaver in a country village will earn only 7s. a week, and his

wife and children 7s. to 14s. more at the embroidery frame.

 

430. The principal part of the hand-machines employed in the

bobbin net manufacture are worked in shops, forming part of, or

attached to, private houses. The subjoined list will show the

kinds of machinery employed, and classes of persons to whom it

belongs.

 

Bobbin net machinery now at work in the Kingdom

 

Hand levers 6 quarter 500 Hand circulars 6 quarter 100

7 quarter 200 7 quarter 300

8 quarter 300 8 quarter 400

10 quarter 300 9 quarter 100

12 quarter 30 10 quarter 300

16 quarter 20 12 quarter 100

20 quarter 1 Hand transverse, pusher,

Hand rotary 10 quarter 50 straight bolt, etc. averaging 5

quarters 750

12 quarter 50

2050 1451

 

Total hand machines 3501

 

Power 6 quarter 100

7 quarter 40

8 quarter 350

10 quarter 270

12 quarter 220

16 quarter 20

Total power machines 1000

 

Total number of machines 4501

 

700 persons own 1 machine, 700 machines.

226 2 452

181 3 543

96 4 384

40 5 200

21 6 126

17 7 119

19 8 152

17 9 153

12 10 120

8 11 88

6 12 72

5 13 65

5 14 70

4 16 64

25 own respectively 18,

19, 20, 21,

23, 24, 25,

26, 27, 28,

29, 30, 32,

33, 35, 36,

37, 50, 60,

68, 70, 75,

95, 105, 206

1192

 

Number of owners of machines—1382 Holding together 4500

machines.

 

The hand workmen consist of the above-named owners 1000

And of journeymen and apprentices 4000

5000

 

These machines are distributed as follows

Nottingham 1240

New Radford 140

Old Radford and Bloomsgrove 240

Ison Green 160

Beeston and Chilwell 130

New and Old Snenton 180

Derby and its vicinity 185

Loughborough and its vicinity 385

Leicester 95

Mansfield 85

Tiverton 220