weekly to keep the factory fully going, all kinds of ammunition for rifles and machine gnus being made on the premises. Other extensive works are those of the Birmingham Small Arms and Metal Co., at Adderley Park Hills, and the National Arms and Ammunition Co., at Small Heath, and Perry Barr.
Artificial Eyes and Limbs are necessary articles to some members of the genus homo, but the demand, fortunately, is not of such an ex- tensive character as to require many manufacturers; indeed, the only firm in Birmingham that devotes itself entirely to supplying artificial limbs is that of Messrs. Best and Son, Summer Lane, whose specialities in the way of arms and legs are famed in all English and Continental medical circles as wonderful examples of the peculiar mechanism requisite to successfully imitate the motions and powers of natural limbs. There are half-a-dozen makers of "eyes," human and otherwise, the chief being Messrs. Pache and Son, Bristol Street, and Mr. Edward Hooper, Suffolk Street, who hold the almost unique position of being the sole known makers of artificial human eyes anywhere. Few people would imagine it, lint it is said that there are at least 1,500 persons in Birmingham who carry glass eyes in their head ; while the demand from foreign countries is some- ting enormous, the United States taking the lead as they fain would do in everything. But there is no part of the civilised world, from Spitzbergen to Timbuctoo, where Birmingham made eyes are not to be seen, even the callous "heathen Chinee" buying them in large quantities. Naturalists and taxidermists find here eyes to match those of any creature that has lived and breathed, and "doll's eyes" are made by the ton.
Bedsteads, Metallic.—The making of iron and brass bedsteads, as a staple trade, dates only from the accession of Her Majesty ; but, unlike that august personage, they were a long time before they were appreciated as they deserved to be, for, in 1850, there were only four or five manufacturers in the town, and their output did not reach 500 a week. Now, about 1,800 hands are employed in the trade, and the annual value of the work sent out can- not be less than £200,000.
Boilermaking.—The making of iron boilers, gasholders; sugar-boilers, &c., may be dated as a special trade from about 1831, when 30 men and boys were employed thereat, turning out about 150 tons yearly; in 1860, about 200 hands turned out 1,000 tons; in 1880 the workers were roughly estimated at 750 to 800 and the output at 4,500 tons.
Booksellers.—In 1750, there were but three, Aris, Warren, and Wollaston: now the booksellers, publishers, and wholesale stationers arc over a hundred, while small shops may be counted to treble the number. Boots and Shoes are manufactured by about 40 wholesale houses, several doing a great trade, and of retailers and little men there are a dozen gross, not counting cobblers who come with the last. American-made articles were first on sale here in March 1877. Rivetted boots may be said to have originated (in 1840) through the mistake of a local factor's traveller, who booked an order for copper sprigs too extensive for his customer. Another of the firm's commercials suggested the rivetting if iron lasts were used. A Leicester man, in a small way, took up the notion, and made a fortune at it, the real inventor only getting good orders. Ellis's patent boot studs to save the sole, and the Euknemida, or concave-convex fastening s])rings, are the latest novelties.
Brass.—The making of goods in brass was commenced hereabout 1668, but the manufacturer of brass itself was not carried on before 1740, when Mr. Turner built his works in Coleshill Street. The Brass and Spelter Co. was started in February 1781, with a capital of £20,000 in £100 shares. Brasshouse
