others which I saw at only 7s. or 8s.  It is the same in regard to the scissors of Champion and Son,—­articles at two or three guineas did not appear to my uninstructed eye worth more than others at a few shillings; yet in all these high priced articles, nearly the whole cost is in workmanship, and there are but few workmen who can produce them.  At the same time, Mr. Crawshaw deals in pen-knives at 5s. per dozen, and Mr. Champion in scissors at 2s. or 3s. per dozen.

“The novelties and curiosities in this way are extremely numerous, and the makers and inventers are as modest and communicative as they are original and ingenious.  Thus a knife an inch long, weighing eight pennyweights six grains, containing seventy odd blades and instruments, cost L30 in making:  scissors the eighth of an inch long, twenty-five of which weigh but a grain, sold at 3s. per pair:  a knife, mounted in gold and pearl, containing thirty blades, is valued at L30; pocket-knives with twenty-six parts are sold at six guineas; the very best two blades mounted with pearl and gold, made by Crawshaw, are in common sale at two guineas in Sheffield.  Messrs. Champion are esteemed the best makers of scissors; and ladies’ working scissors, in general commerce, are finished and mounted as high as five or ten guineas.  The best pocket-knives are made by Crawshaw, and fetch, in mounting, from two to five guineas.  He is also the general maker of what are called the ’best town made.’  I may here add, that Messrs. Champion can make a single set of table knives and forks, the fair market price of which would be 100 guineas.

“The mechanical ingenuity of Mr. Crawshaw has also been displayed in the construction of AN ORRERY consisting of at least 1,000 wheels, which, by a single winch, turns all the planets in their respective periods; and also the whole of the satellites, including those of Herschell.  This orrery, perhaps the completest in the world, was made in all its details by this gentleman, and, in its wheel-work, is an astonishing production.

“One of the wonders of Sheffield is its Grinding Establishments.  To aid the grinders, companies have erected very spacious buildings divided into small rooms, and provided the whole with steam engines.  The rooms are then let out by the month to master grinders; and at properly adjusted grindstones in each room I saw every variety of grinding, sharpening, and polishing.  The finest work is polished by hand, and in this slavery I saw the delicate hands of the superior sex solely employed.  The payment is trifling; but I was told that the hand of woman is the softest, most pliable, and most accommodating tool which has yet been discovered for conferring the finest polish on the refractory substance of steel.  Can we wonder at its effect in softening the ruggedness of the other sex, and how hard must be the heart of that man which does not yield to an influence which subdues even the hardness of steel.