In the article just cited, it was stated that, in 1859, a struggle had arisen between the masters and men concerning the employment of sewing-machines. The masters have now (1861) gained their point, as they are always likely to do where labour-saving contrivances are in question. According to information given in an article by Mr. Charles Knight, in the 'Companion to the Almanac' for 1861, the workmen are gradually yielding, seeing that opposition is of no avail. It was supposed in 1851 that no less than 30,000 persons were in various ways employed by the Northampton boot and shoe-makers alone; and since that year the trade has extended greatly, both at Northampton and Stafford, and in various villages surrounding those two towns. In the Urge factories, the upper leathers are now to a considerable extent put together by the aid of the sewing-machine; the machines belong to the employers, and there are often fifty or sixty of them in one room. The women employed at the machines earn much more than by hand sewing ; but of course not so many of them are needed. Some of the manufacturers are of opinion that the machines are not suited for men's strong shoes, on account of a difficulty in using waxed thread ; but others believe that the machines will gradually impart a wholly new aspect to the trade. The "Northamptonshire Boot and Shoemakers' Mutual Protection Society " was unable to stem the current ; and the machines are now employed, not only in the large factories, but by the workpeople themselves. "A dealer in the machines informed me," says Mr. Knight, "that a few provident shoemakers were purchasing the machine for the domestic employment of their families, by which one female of their household would be able to earn more than was formerly earned by the wife and two or three daughters. The ad
vantage would not rest here. The wife would be at liberty, by working a few hours a day at the machine, to have leisure for her domestic duties ; and would thus obviate the reproach attached to too many shoemakers' wives, that the dirty home, the slatternly habits, and the neglected children, drive the husband to the public-house. The machines cost from 12!. to 25/. I saw one which the dealer in machines was about to sell to a steady workman, upon his paying the cost by instalments." The apparatus will be found briefly described under EMBROIDERY AND SEwINO MACHINES.
The Americans carry on the shoe-manufacture on a scale not equalled by anything known in this country. A- large steam-factory for the purpose has been established at Haverhill, in Massachusetts. In the basement story are machines for cutting, rolling, and shaping the leather for shoe-soles. In the next story the upper leathers are lasted, and the outer soles tacked on. In another range of rooms are the pegging machines ; long strips of wood, of the required width, are coiled up, and put into each machine ; the machine uncoils the strip, cuts it up bit by bit, makes holes in the shoe, and drives a bit as a peg into each hole; this is effected at the rate of fourteen pegs per second. In other rooms are stitching machines worked by steam.