They are purchased from one halſpenny, or one cent, to one shilling apiece. Think of a currycomb made for actual service, with teeth and handle complete, for one cent! There are also nearly a hundred different styles or patterns of the article. The locksmiths of America. France, and Germany are energetic rivals of the English manufacturers. The Americans have a great advantage not only in their application of labour-saving machinery to the process, but from the superiority of their moulding sand over that used in this country. Their brass and iron castings consequently are much smoother, and need much less work in finishing the different parts. An artisan who had gone to the States recently wrote to his friend here, that he could make 150 door-locks in a day, whereas twelve were about the average rate for a workman in England. Of course, improved machinery and processes of manipulation as well as superiority of moulding sand and castings made up a part of this difference.
The hands employed in this branch of manufacture embrace both sexes and all ages capable of manual labour. And as many of the operations are light, they furnish labour for a large number of children. Perhaps no trade of equal production ever adopted the apprentice system more extensively. In 1841 the number of apprentices was
