Life and Labour of the People in London Volume 16 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 Excerpt: ...diagram. Large proportion of old men. p. 317. Woollen trades.--Few remain as manufactures in London. Steady decline, p. 318. Cloth working, consisting of shrinking and finishing. Special reputation of London. Cloth folded between layers of damp sheeting. Material for 4s 6d trousers and guinea suits does not repay shrinking, and the gloss must be retained in stuff for ladies' garments. Experience and skill needed in damping enough but not too much. Cloth inspected with a strong light, heated and folded under pressure. Standard week of fifty-four hours. Wages. Two busy periods. Casual cloth workers. Promotion from van boy to the " fag end," and so upwards to the "bout end," &c. Want of well-ventilated workshops. Rheumatism--lung affections--strained eyes. pp. 318-322. Rug weaving, --A dying trade. Fine work still done for special orders. Busy from March to June. Leisurely habits of elderly men. Weavers on piece, but shearers on time work. p. 323. Organization--Wages--Social Condition. Collapse of Broad Silk Weavers' Society and Clothworkers' Union. Wages returns. pp. 324-325. DYERS, &c. Vol. II., Pt. IV., chap, ii., sec. 35, pp. 326-334. Statistics. Details of occupation--Enumeration--Distribution--Birthplace--Crowding--Status. Age diagram. Abnormal proportion of old men. p. 326. Dyers and Cleaners.--Majority engaged in re-dyeing and cleaning. London specialties the dyeing of ostrich feathers, skin rugs, furs and leather. Great changes in last twenty-five years. Formerly many small masters. Beaten out of the field by Scotchmen, who now in their turn yield to large London cleaners. Wet cleaning. French or dry cleaning. Dyeing. Finishing. Each article makes a circular tour occupying four to fourteen days. Dry cleaning, without unsewin...