SHOEMAKERS.

DYERS.

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to this is to be added a duty of 30 per cent. Wellington-boots at the best shops are charged 21. Os. 6d.; shoes, 13s. 6d. Spanish is much worn for upper leather. They are made neat and with taste: the workmanship appears to me quite equal to the best London. The American leather is very inferior in quality. Native workmen appear as good as English. The business is at present dull, which, I believe, is usual at this season of the year. A capital of from 500 to 1000 dollars is requisite in a moderate concern. A master shoe-maker will not be benefited by coming here; here; a journeyman may. C- whom we knew in London, and who is first rate in his line, has been earning 21. 5s. per week; but he is upon the point of going to Philadelphia, or perhaps to the Western country, as he cannot have a continuation of employ. ment unless he works at an under price.

Mr. W. and his Son, who are dyers, would find some difficulty in stepping from the practice of their large concern in, to an American dye-house; which, from the non-existence of manufacturers in this country, must be essentially different from an English one. The articles usually done here, are old clothes and spoiled goods. A dyer's business in this city will best accord with an English scourer, such as Sansom, in Fenchurch-street. The price for dyeing black woollen is 3s. per yard, wide;

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TALLOW-CHANDLERS.

of brown ditto, 3s.; red, 2s. 6d.; yellow, 2s. 6d.; scarlet, 20s. a pound. There is no silk dyed in the skein, nor are there any silk-weavers in the United States. Fast blue

is not done. Re-dyeing old silk is 64d. per yard. English allum is from 33s. 9d. to 36s. per cwt., to which is to be added a duty of 4s. 6d.; brazilletto, 140s. to 160s. per ton.; cochineal, 24s. 9d. per pound, with a duty of 7 per cent.; logwood, 90s. to 112s. 6d. per ton. The business is of necessity limited. It is moderately good, and would not require a capital of more than from 2001. to 5001. A few journeymen are employed. They earn 21. 5s. per week.

The trade of tallow-chandler is united by some with that of soap-boiler. Any other business may be connected with it, as the law raises no difficulty on the subject. The operation of melting must be removed a specified distance from the closely inhabited part of the city.

The pickle-trade is of no account, as families prepare their own.

The oil and colour-business might be combined with that of tallow-chandler, though perhaps without increased advantage. Oil is sold at grocery-stores, and by painters. The rent of a house to suit an oil-business, in a fourth rate situation, (a better being unnecessary,) would be 1351. to 1501. per annum. A capital

of from 8001. to 12001. would suffice. For a journeyman or shopman it is a bad trade. They are paid 4s. 6d. to 5s. 74d. per diem. The chief work is done by apprentices. The Irish have got the greater part of this business; and they will, if possible, prevent an English journeyman from having employment. The wholesale prices of tallow are, foreign, 6 d. to 7 d., with a duty of d.; American, 74d.: of soap, Castile, 8 d. to 9d.; turpentine, 5d., with a duty of 1d. In the eastern states there is a superabundance of native tallow: in the south it is scarce. Barilla is not used: American ashes are substituted; they are from 83d. to 10 d. per bushel. A tallow-chandler in London that can save 501. per annum, would not be benefited in his finances by a removal to this country.

Taylors are numerous: they are denominated, (in conformity with the accustomed vanity of the country,) "Merchant Taylors." Some keep rather large stocks of woollen piece-goods, all of which, I would remark, are of British manufacture. The price of a superfine coat is from 71. 4s. to 81. 2s. They are paid for making a common coat 18s.; a best ditto, 27s. If a journeyman finds the trimmings, he receives for a best coat 45s. to 51s. For making trowsers, 9s. Apprentices can be had for the terms of three, seven, or ten years: seven is the usual period. A journeyman can have the work of an ap

D

prentice under him. If a man has not served his time, it is not of consequence in any business; competency, not legal servitude, being the standard for employment. A journeyman taylor I would rank but among the second rate trades, so much being done by women and boys. A man that can cut out will be occasionally well paid; the women not being clever in this department, makes the employment of men necessary. There are ready-made clothes' shops, as in London, at which articles of a cheaper but inferior description are sold. There are large quantities of clothing imported from England, and many individuals have their regular London taylors. Black and coloured Canton crape, black stuff, white jean, white drill, and Nankin are worn for trowsers; jean for coats; gingham for jackets in the house : all of which are made by women, at from 25 to 50 per cent. cheaper than the labour of men. A man will earn, when employed, from 36s. to 54s. per week. To carry on this trade as a master and with a reasonable prospect of success, will require a capital of from 5001, to 20001. The profits are large. Moderate credit is received; long credit is given. An additional taylor does not seem now wanted in New York, yet I should not be apprehensive of the success of a man of business who was possessed of the means above stated.

LITERATURE.

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35

I have recently read a book which speaks highly of the literature of this country. From what source the writer derives evidence in support of his assertion I know not. A welleducated American, with whom I have had some agreeable conversation, candidly admitted their very lamentable deficiency in this particular; and in nothing, perhaps, is this more decidedly shown than in the scarcity of that greatest of literary curiosities-a native American standard work. The causes which produce this I shall endeavour to ascertain, when I am more conversant with this country and people. The fact is indisputable. Booksellers' shops are extensive. Old works are scarce. Standard works are not so: by these I mean such as Shakspeare, Milton, Blair, and Johnson. Theological works (those only which are orthodox) are common, and I should suppose much in request. Hartley, Priestley, and the religious writings of Locke, are scarce; I may say unknown. English novels and poetry are the primary articles of a bookseller's business. They are quickly reprinted. An instance of dispatch in this line occurred a fortnight since at Philadelphia. "Manfred" was received, printed, and published all in one day. Walter Scott, Miss Owenson, Moore, Miss Edgeworth, Miss Porter, and Lord Byron, are favourites. The late Scotch novels have been very much read.