Without tracing in detail the progress of the trade and the altera Lions in the duties, it will suffice to give a few figures relating to the Last few years. Sir Robert Peel wholly removed the Import duty on raw Bilk in 1845; and since that year every part of the trade has extended. The raw silk imported between 1844 and 1860, varied from 4,133,000 lbs. (in 1844) to 12,078,000 lbs. (in 1857). But the last-named year was an exceptional one, in regard to the largeness of the import; the import for the last seven years has averaged about 8,000,000 lbe.
per annum. The above is raw silk, in the bank. The throws silk, ready for the weaver, is imported in much smaller quantity, varying from 300,000 lbs. to 1,000,000 lbs. per annum. Manufactured silk goods imported are entered by the lb. or by the piece, according to their character—that is, European goods by the lb., and India goods by the piece. About 800,000 lbs. of broad silks and 400,000 lbs. of ribbons, from the continent, together with half a million pieces of India goods (Bandanas, Corabs, Choppas, Tussire cloths, Romals, and Taffetas)—have been about the average quantities within the last few years. Omitting all years but 1859, we will give the exact figures for that date :— The exports of course do not comprise any raw silk. Of thrown silk, in the various forms of thread and yarn, the quantity exported from 1844 to 1860, varied from about 200,000 lbs. (in 1848) to 1,400,000 lbs.
(in 1856). Of woven silk goods the quantity varied from 600,000 lbs. (in 1848) to 3,000,000;lbs. (in 1856). Taking one particular year (1858) as a fair average for seven recent years, we find that the computed real value of all the Bilk mid silks imported was about 8,000,0001.; and that the declared value of the silk and silks exported was about 2,000,000/. Raw silk is imported duty free; manufactured goods pay an import duty, which in 1853 amounted to about 900,000/. By the new commercial treaty with Franco, England has given up about 300,000/. a year, that having been the produce of duties laid on French silk and silk goods.
Without going into details, it may suffice to state that the quantity of silk imported in 1860, whether raw, waste, or thrown, was less than in 1859; but greater in reference to manufactured silk. Tho export of silk goods woven in England was smaller in 1860 than in 1859; but of silk-thread and yarn, it was higher.
Mr. 1Vinkworth, a Spitalfields manufacturer, estimated in 1857 that 50 millions sterling are sunk in the United Kingdom in the silk manufacture, and that 1,000,000 persons are supported by it. For the number of mills, Bee FAL-roues.