There are two public bodies which are in possession of property applicable to the benefit and general Improvement of the town, namely, the town trustees end the church burgesses. The principal manufacture of Sheffield is that of cutlery in all its branches, indeed of everything that can be fabricated of iron or of steeL The vast buildings Used for grinding by steam form one of the peculiarities of Sheffield. Of the artisans of the town the spring-knife makers and the table-knife makers form the largest classes. Silver-plate and plated goods form also one of the staple manufactures of Sheffield. Its plated geode have a deserved reputation for strength and dura bility. Brass-foundriee are numerous. Britannia metal, a superior kind of pewter composed of tin, antimony, and regulus, forms a cheap article of common use and great consumption, the manufacture of which occupies many bands. A superior but more costly kind of white metal called German silver ie also largely wrought. Brushes, buttons, combs, and optical instruments are made here to a consider able extent; and there are various other manufactures connected with the staple commodities of the town, ouch as cabinet-case makers, engravers, haft and scale pressers and cutters, powder-flask and shot belt makers, sileer-refiners, wood-turners, kc. There are also many
mercantile houses, some of which confine themselves to the home market', while others export to the Continent, to Brazil, the Cape of Good Hope, atd various other parts of the world, but far beyond any other in importance, to the United States of America. Quarter and petty sesaione and a county court are held in the town. Tuesday and Saturday are the market days; fairs are held on the Tuesday and Wednesday in Trinity week, and on the 28th of November.
In the vicinity of the town are many pleasant walks, and numerous good mansions, occupied by Sheffield merchants and other wealthy persona. About a mile E. from the town is the large village of Afferent ; population of tho ecclesiastical district of Attereliffe, 3000 in 1851. The inhabitants are employed in occupations eimilar to those pursued in Sheffield. Besides the district church, called Christ church, erected in 1822 at a cost of about 14,000/., there aro places of worship for Wesleyan Methodists and Independents; a Town school, National schools, some almshouses, and a few minor charities.