220 KIDDERMINSTER.

frequently a loom would be worked without cessation, that is by one couple from mid-day to midnight, to be followed by another couple from midnight till mid-day, the immorality and the illegitimacy consequent upon this state of things was a sad blot upon the trade. Just at the time when steam was being introduced to the trade, the short-sighted workmen, with an excess of stupidity which can scarcely be accounted for, went in for a strike, and by so doing hastened the very result they wished to avert, namely, the use of steam, machinery, and foreign labour, i.e. new hands from Yorkshire and Lancashire. A previous strike, in 1828, which lasted more than half a year, had greatly crippled the trade, but experience has never taught wisdom where designing agitators have taken upon them the heartless task of inflaming men's minds. In this case it is pleasant to know that one of the principal agitators - and who paraded the prefix of "Rev." before his name - met his due reward in a year's imprisonment and to pay costs. Earl Dudley did a great thing for the trade when on the distress consequent upon the failure of Messrs. Pardoe, Hoomans, and Co., in 1858, his Lordship erected extensive shedding and fitted it with power-loom machinery, for the use of those manufacturers who had not the means of doing this for themselves.

There are now from 500 to 600 power Brussels looms at work in Kidderminster, and sheds are in course of erection that will contain about 100 more. The principal power manufacturers are Messrs. Brinton and Lewis, Dixon and Sons, Morton and Sons, James Humphries and Sons, J. Crossley and Son, Barton and Co., Woodward, Palmer, and Radford, E. Shaw and Co., Head, Broom, and Co., Perrin and Griffin, B. Woodward and Co., and Stooke Brothers. There may be about 200 hand Brussels looms at present at work, but the two principal makers (Mr. E. Hughes and Mr. G. Humphries) intend using power. Indeed, it is questionable if any hand looms will be employed in the course of a year or two. The carpet trade has been very remunerative during