being of high-class design and frequently of most elaborate workmanship.  At the present time (March 1885) the trade is in a very depressed condition, thousands of hands being out of employ or on short time, partly arising, no doubt, from one of those “changes of fashion” which at several periods of our local history have brought disaster to many of our industrial branches.  It has been estimated that not more than one-half of the silver jewellery manufactured in Birmingham in 1883, passed through the Assay Office, but the total received there in the twelve months ending June 24th, 1883, amounted to no less than 856,180 ounces, or 31 tons 17 cwt. 4 lbs. 4 oz., the gold wares received during same period weighing 92,195 ounces, or 3 tons 7 cwt. 12 lbs. 3 oz., the total number of articles sent in for assaying being 2,649,379.  The directory of 1780 gave the names of twenty-six jewellers; that of 1880 gives nearly 700, including cognate trades.  The fashion of wearing long silver guard-chains came in in about 1806, the long gold ones dating a score years later, heavy fob chains then going out.  The yearly make of wedding rings in Birmingham is put at 5,000 dozen.  Precious stones are not to be included in the list of locally manufactured articles, nor yet “Paris pastes,” though very many thousands of pounds worth are used up every year, and those anxious to become possessed of such glittering trifles will find dealers here who can supply them with pearls from 6d., garnets from 2d., opals from 1s., diamonds, rubies, emeralds, amethysts, &c., from half-a-crown, the prices of all running up according to size, &c., to hundreds of pounds per stone.

Latten, the term given to thin sheets of brass, was formerly applied to sheets of tinned iron.

Lockmakers are not so numerous here as they once were, though several well known patentees still have their works in the borough.  The general trade centres round Willenhall, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.

Looking-glasses.—­Messrs. Hawkes’s, Sromsgrove Street, is the largest looking-glass manufactory in the world, more than 300 hands being employed on the premises.  A fire which took place Jan. 8, 1879, destroyed nearly L12,000 worth of stock, the turnout of the establishment comprising all classes of mirrors, from those at 2. a dozen to L40 or L50 each.

Mediaeval Metalwork.—­Mr. John Hardman, who had Pugin for his friend, was the first to introduce the manufacture of mediaeval and ecclesiastical metal work in this town, opening his first factory in Great Charles Street in 1845.  The exhibits at the old Bingley Hall in 1849 attracted great attention and each national Exhibition since has added to the triumphs of the firm.  Messrs. Jones and Willis also take high rank.

Metronome, an instrument for marking time, was invented by Mr. W. Heaton, a local musician, about 1817.