The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-11 00:00:00

THE CARPET TRADE
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SlR,—Observing in your paper of the 24th ult. an
article headed " Distressed State of the Carpet Trade
in Kidderminster and Stroud," I take the liberty of
addressing you on the subject, as such statements
emanating from a leading journal are calculated (though
I doubt not, unintentionally) to do much injury, and I
beg to say on inquiry, you will find they are not founded
on fact. At Stroud carpets are not, and I believe never
were made; but at Kidderminster a large population
(some thousands), men, women, and children, gain their
living by this staple manufacture. The trade of Kidder-
minster is much depressed in common with other manu•
factured articles of luxury, but Mr. Sievier's invention
(introduced by Mr. Bright) ca❑ have nothing to do with
it except from the representation of his agents; for only
two or three patterns are yet presented to the public,
and they are of the most insignificant description, as you
can find on investigation, but your statement has done
a decided injury, and likewise thrown a slur on the good
credit of the place, and it is indeed a heartless and
inglorious boast to make, that by the inventive genius
of Mr. Sievier, such a body of people would be thrown
out of employ. And I would ask, would it be desirable
(if the invention could be perfected) to apply steam
power to produce an article that hand labour can furnish
in much greater quantity than there is demand for?
Brussels five frame carpet is an article of great dura-
bility and frequently wears ten or fifteen years, indeed,
sometimes much longer. Allow me to subjoin an article
written some time back " on carpeting," by an inspector
of manufactures. Again apologizing for troubling you
in this matter, I am your most obedient servant,
A CARPET MANUFACTURER.
Kidderminster, Dec. 8, 1848.

" With regard to earpeting I consider there is no
article manufactured so suitable for the covering of
floors as Brussels. It must be borne in mind that carpet-
ing has to be trodden under foot, and therefore should
hare plenty of wool and other material to form a sub-
stantial cloth, and in which particular five frame Brussels
surpasses all others. Its durability of texture and colours,
and cleanly appearance, nothing manufactured can surpass
or indeed equal. The great quantity of worsted worked
or planted in the cloth or back of the carpet tightens the
pile and adds much to its durability, indeed renders it
more lasting than any other, and likewise creates that
warmth and comfort in rooms so desirable and necessary
in a variable climate. It is really an article of sterling
value, and one that can never be superseded."—Coped
from a memorandum of an Inspector •f the Manufactures of
England.

A BRIDGE WASHED AWAY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—On the night of Sunday, the 4th instant, con-
tinual torrents of rain fell, which swelled the river
Cynon to a considerable height, and owing to the con-
fined water-way beneath a bridge, subsequently built by
the Taff Vale Railway Company, forming a communica-
tion from the original line of the Aberdare Railway to
the Llety Jenkin Colliery, it obstructed the passage of
the water in its original course, consequently the water,
accumulated by obstruction caused by the said bridge,
overflowed its embankments, thereby causing an unnatu-
ral inundation of the adjacent country, forming an ex-
tensive reservoir of-water over the flat part of the valley
above the said bridge and branch of railway.
The weight of the water so accumulated broke the
embankment on the said branch of railway formed by
the Taff Vale Railway Company, and the sudden influx
of water when the embankment gave way caused an inun-
dation of the Aberdare Railway for nearly a mile in
extent; nevertheless the Aberdare line of railway retained
its original position, so much so, that as soon as the water
had sunk beneath the level of the rails it was discovered
passable for the second passenger train, which reached
its destination with its usual speed without the slightest
accident occurring. On Friday, the Bth instant, the
said bridge was washed away, and we trust some person
rn~y be appointed to repair and improve the communica-
tion whose competency (combined with a general know-
ledge of the locality of the country) will insure a future
safety to the public and the interest of the company.
I am, Sir, yours obediently,
A PASSENGER.