Page:On the economy of machinery and manufactures - Babbage - 1846.djvu/389

Rh 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.

"From this it appears, that in the operations of this trade, which had no existence twenty years ago, 120,000l. original cost of cotton becomes, when manufactured, of the ultimate value of 3,242,700l. sterling.

"As to weekly wages paid, I hazard the following as the judgment 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.