and established a very successful
business.

So great has been the demand for covered linen buttons at different
times, that during one single year Mr. Elliott's successors have in the
process of making them required 63,000 yards of cloth and 34 tons of
metal, and given employment to 250 persons. As the button trade has for
a considerable time been in a very depressed condition, it is possible
that the productions of this firm may not be of such magnitude as they
were a few years since.

With regard to the depressed condition of this branch of Birmingham
industries, one manufacturer assured me, only a few weeks ago, that
where 150 persons were employed at one time, not more than 20 or 30
would be working then. In visiting one of the largest manufactories the
same day, I saw sufficient to convince me of the truthfulness of his
statement, for in passing through the different workshops I saw one or
two presses, stamps, and turning-lathes at work, whereas several were
unused and without attendants. One firm, when trade is in a flourishing
condition, will make about 15,000 gross of linen buttons weekly. Ivory
buttons are made from the tusks of elephants; but as the material is
expensive, and the manipulation has to be conducted with great care, and
that chiefly by hand, they can only be used by persons who can afford to
pay a goodly sum.

During the last few years, in which a great variety of colours has been
introduced, both for ladies' and gentlemen's garments, and buttons have
been required to match, it is fortunate that a substitute has been found
for ivory in the kernel of the "corozo" nut. This nut grows in clusters
on palm-like trees in South America, and is husked like a cocoanut, but
is different in shape and considerably smaller in dimensions. The
kernel--the part used in button-making--is milk-white, and being softer
than animal ivory, is more easily turned, and as it readily absorbs
dyes, it can be made to take any colour with little trouble.

The process of making these vegetable ivory buttons is as
follows:--After boys have cracked the shells, the kernels are taken by
men standing at benches in which small fine-toothed saws are revolving.
Only a slight pressure of the nut against the saw is required before it
is divided into equal parts. If necessary, the operation is repeated.
Providing, however, that the pieces of the nut are of proper dimensions,
they are passed on to the turner.

The next process is t