Mr. Chamberlain made a curious and interesting speech on Monday
in proposing "Prosperity to the Birmingham Jewellers' and Silversmiths' Association." It will be a surprise to the world to -know that the jewellers' and silversmiths' trade is beyond all question the most important trade in Birmingham. Even so long ago as 1865, it was supporting 7,500 persons, and used annually more than a million's worth of gold and silver ; and Mr. Chamberlain was assured by Councillor Green that at the present time the consumption is enormously greater than that. Mr. Chamberlain said that of the people who talk con- temptuously of "Brummagem jewellery," the greater number are actually wearing it, though they themselves believe that they are either wearing jewels of "London make," or "real Parisian objects of art." The Association, which is quite new, interests itself both in the technical improvement of the jeweller's art, for the teaching of which it makes provision, and in exposing counterfeit or dishonest work ; and Mr. Chamber- lain predicted for it a still increased prosperity when once the duty on gold and silver plate is removed. It is remark- able that the whole of this prosperous trade seems to have grown up in Birmingham since 1830.
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