Locks, according to their uses, may be divided into two classes, namely, in-door locks and out-door locks ; and of each class there are numerous kinds, sizes, and qualities. We will name the principal, that persons who want them may understand the distinctive names by which they are known in the trade. Commencing with the in-door class, the first kind that occupies our attention are those upon the front doors of houses, called draw-back locks, as the bolt, when not locked, is made to spring to, and has a knob for the purpose of draw ing it back ; they are generally made of iron, and they are, therefore, further designated by the term iron-rim, to distinguish from those having wooden stocks, called spring-stock-locks, which are of a cheaper and less elegant kind, and are therefore more frequently put to back doors. For the doors of rooms, there are three principal kinds, distinguished by the names of mortise, brass-case, and iron-rim locks. Formerly the latter kind were put on the doors of parlours, and even drawing rooms ; but their unsightly appearance soon caused the substitution of the brass-cued locks. The bright yellow metal was long a favourite, but ingenuity, seconded by good taste, introduced the mortise-lock, which is now rendered so cheap, that scarcely any new houses, excepting those for the very poor, are built without them. By the aid of machinery, and a minute division of labour, mortise-locks are made at an astonishingly low price at Wolverhampton ; and the workmanship of even the commonest kind is sub stantial and durable. As room•door locks are before every body's eyes, it will only be necessary to observe, that all such are specified in the following manner. If there be only one bolt to it which the key shoots, it is called a dead-lock, or closet-lock; if there be in addition a spring bolt, with a handle to open it, it is called a two-bolt lock; and if there be a pnvate bolt besides, it is celled a three bolt lock. It is also necessary to specify the kind of handles required, (knobs
or rings, &c.); the hand (right or left); the thicluiese of the doors; and if plain wards, round wards, tumblers, patent, &c.
Under the general term of cabinet locks, are comprehended a great variety of kinds, such as cupboard, book-case, desk, portabk desk, table, drawer, or till, bar, chest, caddy, &c. These also partake of three forms, as respects the manner of firing them. They are called straight, when the plate of the lock is to be screwed with its fiat side against the woodwork; cut, when the wood is to be cut away to let in the lock flush with the surface ; and mortise, when a mortise cavity is to be made edgeways in the wood for its reception. The sixes of these locks vary from 1 to 5 inches ; they are made in both iron and brass, and the qualities are distinguished by the terme already mentioned.
Of the outdoor locks, those used for gates, stables, sheds, &c. are for the most part wooden stock-loeks ; of these there are many qualities; the common or Banbury, the bastard, the fine, and many qualities above the latter, which would require too lengthened an explanation ; the internal parts being made of cop per, iron, and brass. There are also the o and the p gate locks, and the very numerous family of padlocks ; for information upon which we must refer the reader to his locksmith, as a volume might be filled with those and others which we have necessarily omitted.