many fortunate men who availed themselves cheaply of his genius. When he had spent his best years upon the development of these discoveries, a relative or friend invited him to a home in America, where he ended his days, little remembered for all his contributions to the benefit of his kind. Those of our readers who visited the Great Exhibition in Paris may easily form some approximate idea of the perfection to which iron bedsteads have been brought by remembering what a splendid show of them was produced by Messrs. Winfield and Co., the most extensive manufacturers in Birmingham. There was one especially that excited much admiration for its rich and elaborate design—a bedstead which Solomon in all his glory or any modern sovereign might have coveted. In the course of fifteen years the production of these bedsteads in Birmingham has increased tenfold; or from about 400 weekly in 1850 to about 5,000 in 1865. The high duty levied upon them, even before the Civil War, has kept them virtually out of the United States, but a large and increasing demand from Australia. Canada, and other British colonies, as well as several foreign states, stimulates and extends the production of these convenient and economical articles of furniture. The retail price of them varies from £10 to 10s, each, according to the size and style. A good double-bedded stead may be bought for a guinea.
