The Express.
London, England, 1851-12-29 00:00:00

PROSPERITY OF

The year jest drawing to a close has been deci-
dedly one of the most prosperons ever experienced in the
trading smuts of Birmingham. From January down
the moment at which we write the tide of prosperity lien'
encountered in its flow very few of the impediments moils
attendant open commercial transactions so vast that Ilea!
manufactures are spread over almost every variety akar& j
ware product which industry affords, and the dealingsed,
the producers are extended over almost every civilised clam.
As we have no disposition to enlarge unduly upon this
cheering state of affairs, neither is there the slightest ground
or pretence of teens isle need a a nanny cheesier.
One of the very esideetnemeee tommeoloi the mionamella
concerns of the town a".”40, • day or Mae
since, that an etperksee 46 not revealed
to him anything like the rity that
has been experienced during teirriest Irma monthi.
The gentleman to whom we Taff le Mr. Van
Wart, whose connexions extend AMMO throughout
the entire American continent. In the ',Won which he
entertains there is scarcely a monufacturec we merchant of
eminence hereabouts who does not concur. This is not the
head under which to enter into political discussion, but the
undoubted fact may at least be stated, that from the
earliest moment when the free-trade principle came into
active operation, the aspect of commercial con-
cern, hereabouts began to undergo a rapid and ultimately
a complete change. Instead of months of languor and
depression, accompanied by fitful visits of comparative
prosperity, the last five years have been characterised by a
continuation of good trade—by a steady demand for the
geode manufactured—by the opening of new markets
thitherto of trifling value—by as immense improvement in
the quality of the manufactures both as regards dmign and
workmanship, and by a degree of prudence ia the
conduct of trade, rich as has never perhaps before
been exhibited, where the temptations to overtreding
are increased by competition, and by the desire to
acquire wealth. In the five years just gone by, there has
been (with two exceptions) scarcely a failure worthy of
notice in the town or district. In point of magnitude the
Stourbridgu Bank failure stands alone, and the instabi-
lity of the concern had been evident for years. That fruit-
ful year for embarrassments, 1847, produced in the Birm-
ingham district little beyond temporary difficulties et incon-
siderable amount, and there have been abundant indica-
tions since, that speculations beyond the limits warranted by
capital have been the exception rather than the rule. l'er-
haps the best index tothis fact is to be gleaned from the
flourishing condition of the chief joint-stuck banking esta-
blishments in the town, most of which have sprung into
existence in the last twenty years. Neither has the year
just closing been merely a successful one so far as may be
estimated by the extent of the orders executed, although the
enormous ratio in which hardware orders have increased
might afford matter enough for congratulation ; but it has
been marked by an improvement in the conduct of busi-
ness, and every disposition has been shown by the
leading manufacturers to profit by the fine col-
lection of foreign products displayed at the Great
Exhibition, the excellence of which in many re-
spects far surpassed that of our manufactories. This
defect in our goods has been attributable to two causes—
first, to indispositiou on the part of the manufacturers to pay
for modelling ; and secondly, to the badness of the school in
which most of the modellers have been educated. Guided
by no normal rules of art, and deficient in that acquired re-
finement of taste which a judicious course of artistic dis-
cipline is designed to impart, the amateur'• fancy has
hitherto ran riot, and designs of the most meretricious
character have been too frequently the result. In the de-
partment of lamps and chandeliers these fine specimens of a
bail system were to be seen in no Inconsiderable number in
the Greet Exhibition, but still more so in the smaller ono
here in IMO. The excuse of second-rite manufacturers is,
that such articles found more purchasers amongst the
general public, whose preference for the gaudy and
inelegant has arisen from pretty much the same
eause that has led to its production. A better example
has, however, recently been set by several of the leading
manufaetusen, who have an eye to their ultimate credit
rather than immediate profit, and it is en example tnat
must be generally followed. Lamp and chandelier making
has become one of the most valuable branches of our manu-
factures ; the export trade has very largely increased during
the last year or two, and the demand for the home trade,
especially for lamps, has extended iu at least equal propor-
tion. Throughout the whole of the year the orders have
been extremely large, and arc so even at this moment.
I Cabinet brass-foundry, one or the oldest of the Birmingham
trades, has been generally bri-k, with the exception of a
slight lull in the month of October ; but the partial slack-
ness has ceased, and all the manufactories are in full work,
with at least a sufficiency of orders to carry them over the
two next dreary weeks. The brass-cock founders report
that their trade is steady, and generally in as satisfactory a
condition as could be wished. Hook-and-eye and steel-
pen trades are reported to be brisk, the demand fur the
I latter for the foreign trade being greatly on the increase.
The pin-makers have had a sufficiency of orders to keep the
works well going throughout the year, and are still in
pretty much the risme condition. Under the head " light
steel toys" are comprised a multitude of articles in general
use; in this branch the export trade has very much in-
creased, especially for the colonial market ; during the
autumn there have been some very good orders; at pre-
sent there is a slight depression, but it is of a very trifling
character. For " heavy steel toys," the trade continues
good ; the edge-tool makers, especially, are well oil for
orders ; their consignmcuts to South America have been
immense during the last eighteen months—a fact which
perhaps, mainly attributable to the low price of the raw
material. The iron wire drawers have had enormous
orders during the last twelve muslin, and still continue
busy, chiefly in consequence of the quantity required fur the
electric telegraph. the japanners have hail a capital trade
throughout the year ; just now the orders are nut quite so
brisk. For papier machi goods very large orders were re-
ceived whilst the Exhibition was open; of these many
are not vet completed, and the bulk of the orders are for
the foreign market. The electro-platers have been busy
throughout the year, the orders having been larger than
were ever before known: in this branch the demand for
goods seems very likely to be very greatly increased. The
gunmakers sword cutlers, engine makers, and fender and
Are-iron maker,, all speak cheerfully of the condition of
their various trades, said of the materials tor coogratulation
which the expiring year 'freed,. In other branches of
minor importance the reports are equally satisfactory the
various branches of button trades are at present, xperieocing
• scarcity of orders, nut an unusual circumstance at this
= nee: the year; neither has the attempt to re-
the fancy gilt buttons been attended with
sees partial success. The fancy trades arc languid
hos now, except in a single article—gold chains—
*/ width the orders have been enormous all the
pee The factors, whose business lies chiefly in the fancy
i gess, ses complaining that the orders for the home market
MI lea than usual this month, a stimulant being generally
given to the trade consequent on orders for the Christmas
presents. At meet of the works in the district the hands
are in full work; at Walsall the saddler's ironmongers
have a fair average amount of orders, and at Ifilston the
tin later are working full time. The glass makers ars
'said to be extremely busy both in the manufacture of
crown and plate glass; and in a branch where competition
has as yet been scarcely felt, that of gas fitting, there is
every reason to believe that those engaged in the trade have
quite as much work as they out execute, end this has been
the ease for a considerable time. The sailors, both in the
town and district, are in lull work, and the impetus re-
cently given to the gun trade of Birmingham has operated
equally beneficially for the gun-luck filers of Darlaston.
The foreign made generally has been good through- ,
est the year, especially as relates to all the
merkets of the Mediterranean, to South America,
end the United States. There have been heavy con-
*temente to Australia this year, but the Cuban trade
has suffered in consequence of recent disturbances in that
quarter, and remittances have not been made with the cuts ,
Unary punctuality. There have been, and are still, it is
said, fair orders in for Spain. From the Cape good orders t
are expected as soon as the present disturbances are at an
end. The state of the iron trade is such as to afford little
matter for remark or congratulation; the export orders ;
have increased during the year, and perhaps the best that
can be said is that although there has been no actual ad-
vance of prices the trade is steadier and healthier than it I
was last January. At present, however, the means of pro-
duction arc so enormous, and the royalties so heavy,that we ;
t are not sanguine enough to believe that there is much
v prospect of a speedy improvement, or of an advance of
a. prices. We can only take leave of this year with the ex-
of pression of • sincere conviction that it is one of, if not the
he mast prosperous ever experienced in this town, and with
act the single drawback as regards iron, it has perhaps been
se- equally so for the district.
ru
and

Tun Wzar INDIA Comr tNY have gis en notice to
the Padasaater-several that tbc Amazon, the first of their
_ .

fleet of gips* Mitamen, will take out the West India and
Mexican mteis oaths 2nd proximo. She left the South-
ampton decks en Saturday for the stream to get coaled.
She will take in above 1,000 tool of coal before she leaves
Southampton. She will be commanded on her first voyage
by Captain Symons, one of the most experienced officers
in the West India company's service. She will after-
I wards be commanded by Captain Chapman, who is now
absent on the Studien station. A new dock will, it is
expected, have to be formed at Southampton to afford ac-
commodation for the monster steamers now building for
the West India and Oriental Steam Packet Companies.

1
DRPARTURZ OF THE ROYAL MAIL STEAM-SHIP
CARERIA.—On Saturday, at soon, the British and North
AISMOLA royal mail steam-ship Cambria, Captain Leitch,
left the Mersey for Halifax and. ll,iston., w.ith
.about 30
Mailer SZtasa general
Neereogua, tr&c. for
the