gers whose services are gratuitous. When this society was first instituted, it was ascertained that five hundred weavers could not find employ, and were compelled to undertake other work for their subsistence; by the aid thus afforded them all are employed. We will mention only one fact more, which will show the rapid progress of manufactures in the United States. In the year 1812, when hostilities commenced between them and Great Britain, the American secretary at war stated to the congress that they could not supply the Indians with blankets. As a refutation of this assertion, an offer was instantly made in Philadelphia to supply fifty pair per week so long as they might be wanted; and the legislature of Massachussetts indignantly offered to supply all the clothing that might be wanted for the new army, from domestic materials. Cotton, though less extensively manufactured perhaps than wool, is rapidly advancing. At the beginning of the year 1811, there were nearly ninety mills in operation, turning eighty thousand spindles; the number now erected we have not been able to ascertain: but works on the Arkwright principle are erecting in almost every township and county in the United States. Cotton blankets are in common use, and are said to be of very pleasant wear. We apprehend, however, that some time must elapse before the Americans can rival us, either in the quality, or variety of assortment of their cotton goods, and especially of calicoes, for the continental market. At present, if an assortment be wanted at a short notice, they are compelled to apply to the British manufacturer: for although cotton goods can be procured in France, at Rouen for instance, at cheaper rates than we can make them, yet as the French manufacturer has not sufficient variety, the American trader has only one alternative to take,-either to wait for the manufacturing of the articles required, which subjects him to loss of time and of his market, or to come to Britain where his demand can be instantly answered, though necessarily at a higher rate from the higher rates of labour here. But with the energies which we have seen the Americans direct to other branches of manufacture, it is not likely that they will continue to be thus dependent upon the British manufacturer, who will only be able to meet them advantageously on the Continent by exhibiting superior assortments, and affording these at equally low, if not lower prices. Connected with the two articles of manufacture which we have been considering, is a new fabric invented by Messrs. Shotwell and Kinder at New York, and by them termed Taurino cloth. In an interesting communication addressed to the Philadelphia Agricultural Society they state, that, having discovered a method of disengaging the hair of black, cattle from the dandruff (dirt ?) and lime which were left in it, they conceived the idea that a cloth could be made from it which might be applied to many useful purposes; and, notwithstanding the discouragements from many English woollen manufacturers, and many unforeseen difficulties which they had to encounter, they ultimately succeeded in attaining the object of their pursuit. They now make a strong heavy cloth from hair alone, suitable for carpeting and other purposes; and which, if woven rather loose and not much filled, may be used for coarse blankets. By selecting the white and black hair, and leaving the other colours as a third, they can make a neat figured carpet with three colours, without dyeing: and should more colours be required, the red hair can be dyed green, blue, olive, or any dark colour; so that a carpet from hair can be produced, equalling in fancy, and exceeding in durability any that can be made of wool. They have also made excellent coatings of it, calculated for over coats and clothing for labouring people: this has generally a small portion of wool mixed with the hair, the whole of which (they add) can be afforded at a lower price than any woollen fabrics of an equal quality that can be imported from England. The carding, spinning, weaving and fulling, are affirmed to be done with a facility equal to those operations in wool. So actively alive as the Americans are to every appearance of domestic improvement, it is not to be supposed that an invention like this would be suffered to pass unnoticed. Accordingly, we find that a committee of the Society for the promotion of useful arts in the state of New York was appointed, to receive and examine specimens of the Taurino manufacture. The result of their report is, that having examined the said specimens, amounting to four in number, "They find two of the samples exhibited to consist of one third common wool, and two thirds hair from the tanneries; one sample of one fourth common wool, and three fourths hair; and one of one fifth common wool, and four fifths hair: that they find the whole number of specimens extremely well manufactured, of equal quality and texture, well dyed, and apparently very firm and strong. The committee further report that, from documents accompanying the specimens, it is certain that a cloth equal, if not superior in durability is manufactured from hair alone; and that it is a valuable substitute for felting in the paper manufacture. The committee have satisfied themselves by experiment, that this cloth is not only lighter than that manufactured from wool; but that it has the property of resisting moisture to a much greater degree, and that therefore it is much better calculated for great or over-coats; and further, that, from actual trial, it forms an elegant and much more durable carpeting than wool."-(Mem. of Phil. Agr. Soc. vol. iii. pp. 403—406.) Indigo and tobacco have so long been staple articles of manu¬ ́ Of facture, that we scarcely need mention them. Hemp is an article of increasing importance, to which the United States have been by no means inattentive, particularly during the long suspension of commercial intercourse. Great quantities are grown in Massachussetts, New York, Kentucky, and other states. iron work, they manufacture all the coarser articles, as well as most of their agricultural implements; but for their fine cutlery they are still indebted to England. Their cut iron nails are confessedly superior to those forged by British manufacturers. Copper, of which metal there are abundant mines in various parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, is at this time extensively rolled at New York and Philadelphia; and almost every state possesses one or more wire manufactories. Wine of an excellent quality is made by the Swiss colonists on the Ohio; who have hitherto confined their supplies to the states in their own more immediate vicinity; but who have so extended their manufacture, that this year they expect to supply the demand of the United Country. Pot and pearl-ash are articles of great importance. They are made in very considerable quantities, and at comparatively little expense in the new settlements of America, which are greatly benefited by the demands for these articles; and the clearing of lands consequently becomes a profitable concern. Besides supplying the internal demand, many thousand tons are annually exported. The process usually pursued is thus stated by Mr. Lambert: "The trees are cut down and burnt; after which the ashes are mixed with lime, and put into several large vats, which stand in rows upon a platform; water is then pumped into them, and after filtering through the lime and ashes, it dribbles out of a spicket into a long trough that is placed in front of the vats for that purpose. The water thus drained becomes a strong lye of a dark brown colour, though it gives the buckets which are continually dipped into it a yellow tinge. The lye is then put into large iron boilers, or, as they are more generally called, potash kettles. Large fires are made underneath, and the lye is kept boiling for many hours, till it approaches a fine claret colour; after which it is taken out, left to cool, and becomes a solid body, like grey stone, and is called potash. The manufacture of pearlashes differs but little from the other; but these are manufactured with more care, and are afterwards calcined in an oven. 1,000 lbs. of oak ashes will make 111 lbs. pot-ash, 1,000 do. of hickory.. 1,000 do. of beech ..180 lbs. do. .219 lbs. do. 166 lbs. do. . 110 lbs. do. "The management of the fire influences the product. Labour is well paid with 700 lbs. of potash from 400 bushels of ashes. The harder and better woods afford the most alkali.”—(Lambert, Vol. II. p. 526, 257.) Maple Sugar is an article of growing demand and increasing value. The maple ranks in the first importance among the forest trees of the United States. The Eastern and Middle States, it has been computed, furnish a sufficient number of maple trees to supply them with the article of sugar. We have before us a specimen of maple sugar, manufactured in 1806, which is in every respect equal to that produced by the sugar cane. The manufacturing of maple sugar is, we believe, carried on most extensively in the state of Vermont, the roads of which are in many parts lined with these useful trees. But the utility of the maple is not confined to the sugar afforded by its juice: it also furnishes a pleasant molasses, an agreeable beer, a strong sound wine, and excellent vinegar; and its timber is highly useful for various mechanical purposes, especially for saddle trees. The following facts relative to the flowing of maple juice are curious, and deserve investigation. The flowing of maple-juice is as completely locked up by continued warmth as by frost, and only takes effect by the alternate operation of these agents. Yet the same degrees of heat, even after frost, have not always the same effect. Thus a warm south wind stops the flowing more than a cool north-west wind. In general a bracing wind facilitates the discharge, and a relaxing wind acts to the contrary: whether, or how far, electricity may operate in this case is a question which future inquiries only can determine. The juice flows from all sides of the in cision. Manufactures in Wood, in every branch, are carrried on to a high degree of perfection, so as amply to supply the entire demand of the United States: they consist chiefly of cabinet ware, and other household furniture, coaches and carriages, and shipbuilding. For the last, their almost exhaustless forests furnish the requisite supplies of timber; and for cabinet ware the acer rubrum or scarlet maple is principally used. When sawed into boards it exhibits a beautifully waving appearance (whence it is frequently termed the curled maple); and it makes articles of furniture equal in point of beauty to those manufactured from satin wood. The preceding statement applies to some of the more important articles manufactured in the United States generally. With regard to the state of manufactures in the great towns, Mr. Lambert has communicated but little information. New York he passes in silence. At Boston the principal manufactures are rum, beer, paper-hangings, loaf-sugar, cordage, playing cards, sail-cloth, wool-cards, spermaceti and tallow candles, and glass; besides cabinet work, coaches, and carriages of every description, hats, shoes, boots, and other articles of domestic use. More satisfactory is the account given by Dr. Mease of the manufactures of Philadelphia, of which the subjoined extract will convey a very favourable idea; although we are assured that it falls very far short of the present state of things in that city. "Philadelphia has long been celebrated for her various manufactures; and they have much increased in variety and extent, since the late interruption to our foreign commerce. It would be inconsistent with the nature of this work to enter minutely into this subject; but a general view of them may be given. "The various coarser metallic articles, which enter so largely into the wants and business of mankind, are manufactured to a great extent, in a variety of forms, and in a substantial manner. All the various edged tools for mechanics are extensively made; and it may be mentioned as a fact calculated to excite surprise, that our common screw auger, an old and extensively useful instrument, has been recently announced in the British publications, as a capital improvement in mechanics, as it certainly is, and that all attempts by foreign artists to make this instrument durable, have failed. "The finer kinds of metals are wrought with neatness and taste. The numerous varieties of tin ware in particular, may be mentioned as worthy of attention. But above all, the working of the precious metals has reached a degree of perfection highly creditable to the artists. Silver plate fully equal to sterling, as to quality and execution, is now made, and the plated wares are superior to those commonly imported in the way of trade. Floor cloths of great variety of patterns, without seams, and the colours bright, hard and durable; various printed cotton stuffs, warranted fast colours; earthen ware, yellow and red, and stone ware are extensively made; experiments show, that ware equal to that of Staffordshire might be manufactured, if workmen could be procured. "The supply of excellent patent shot is greater than the demand. All the chemical drugs, and mineral acids of superior quality, are made by several persons: also cards, carding and spinning machines for cotton flax, and wool. Woollen, worsted, and thread hosiery have long given employment to our German citizens: and recently, cotton stockings have been extensively made. "Paints of twenty-two different colours, brilliant and durable, are in common use, from native materials; the supply of which is inexhaustible. The chromate of lead, that superb yellow colour, is scarcely equalled by any foreign paint. There are fifteen rope-walks in our vicinity. We no longer depend upon Europe for excellent and handsome paper hangings, or pasteboard, or paper of any kind. The innumerable articles into which leather enters, are neatly and substantially made; the article saḍlery forms an immense item in the list. The |