want of divergence as resulting from the degree of perfection to which we have attained in most branches of manufacture: others may regard it as the resultant of two opposing forces; one urging an increasing number of persons who can avail themselves of knowledge not to take patents; the other urging an increasing number of persons who can avail themselves of knowledge to take patents. If the latter explanation is correct, the figures may be considered as indicative of the estimation in which a patent system has come practically to be held, rather than as affording any criterion as to advance in the applications of science. Some of the facts that have yet to be adduced in these pages will, it may be hoped, tend to elucidate this question.

No one, on examining the last table, can be otherwise than disappointed to observe that, of upwards of thirteen thousand applications for patents, only eight hundred and fifty-six were considered of sufficient value to their possessors after the expiration of seven years, to induce them to pay the sum of one hundred pounds for another seven years of privilege. They would wish reasonably to know whether or not the figures represent accurately the relative value of the inventions which have been protected, or whether there are disturbing causes, such as want of capital, the various difficulties attending the introduction of anything new, which, if fully known, would materially alter the results.

Of

considerable assistance in throwing light upon this point is an examination which has been made of the first hundred applications for patents in the years 1855, 1858, and 1862, by Mr. Bennet Woodcroft, superintendent of specifiations at the patent office, a most competent gentleman, whose beneficial influence is recognized by those who have profited by his extensive labours. Mr. Woodcroft's conclusions, taken from the appendix to his evidence, given in the parliamentary report on the patent question lately published, are given in full in note B in the Appendix to this treatise. The following are the leading points :

A.D. 1855.

Of the first hundred inventions, for which applications for patents were made in the year 1855, none are apparently of considerable value, but I believe it to be impossible to predict beforehand the value of any invention. Four of the hundred inventions appear to be of some, but not of great value, and patents were granted for all of them. One of these patents expired at the end of the third year of the grant, and two at the end of the seventh year; and consequently only one continues in force.

A.D. 1858.

Of the first hundred inventions, for which applications for patents were made in the year 1858, none are apparently of considerable value. Three of the hundred inventions appear to be of some, but not of much value; and patents were granted for all of them; but these patents expired at the end of the third year of the grant.

A.D. 1862.

Of the first hundred inventions, for which applications for

patents were made in the year 1862, one is apparently of considerable value; and a patent was granted for it, which is still in force.

Of the same hundred inventions, one appeared to be of some, but not of great value; and a patent was granted for it, which is still in force.

Therefore, according to Mr. Woodcroft's judgment, given with the caution that might be expected on matters of such complexity and variety, of three hundred applications, only one appeared to him to be of considerable value, and eight others appeared to him to be of some but not of great value. These conclusions are remarkable, and are even more unsatisfactory than the published statistics. If only nine patents out of three hundred applications appeared to possess some substantial value, there might be no more than ninety out of three thousand. But the table in page 24 appears to show that of 3,106 applications in 1856, 214 persons found their patents valuable to them after seven years. And, if they were remunerative to the inventors, it may appear reasonable to suppose that they were all intrinsically of substantial value. Some consideration of this question, which may throw some light on Mr. Woodcroft's conclusions, can be attempted when we consider whether or not there are other inducements to persons to retain the privilege granted in patents, than the intrinsic merit of that which is protected. It may be useful, however, first to inquire why it is so large a number of persons apply for patents every

year, and so few appear by the statistics to be ultimately successful.

Previous to the last International Exhibition, a pamphlet was published by the commissioners, giving a list of trades in the United Kingdom, which were found to amount to no less than 2,546. In the list there is necessarily a certain amount of redundance, as some of the titles are practically synonymous, but an examination establishes the fact very clearly, that a large majority of those trades offer distinct matters for protection by patent. If we turn to the records of the patent office, we find that in the indices to subject matter for patents, there are nearly three thousand distinct terms used in titles, most of which are distinct subjects in different branches of manufacture. All these subjects are now comprised at the patent office in about two hundred and seventyeight divisions or subdivisions, the various trades connected with spinning being entered under three divisions; railways and railway carriages under four divisions, and so forth. The various persons engaged in the production and sale of manufactures may be divided into three general divisions-1. Those engaged in obtaining raw produce and supplying the manufacturer. 2. Those engaged in actual manufacture, whether of parts or of the whole. 3. Those who act between the manufacturer and the public as certain agents and all retailers. It is often found that a person has more than one character.

He is

sometimes producer and manufacturer, and sometimes manufacturer and retailer. While, therefore, the number of subjects for which patent rights may be sought is very large, the number of persons directly and indirectly connected with the different branches of manufacture, and who may possess knowledge in all degrees in those branches, is truly enormous, and may be supposed to comprise in fact a great proportion of the working population of our country.

Patents may be regarded in two distinct divisions-1. Those which address themselves immediately to the manufacturer, such as improved means for making substances of common use; and 2. Those which address themselves more immediately to the public, such as a new lamp, new dyes, &c. The difficulties attending the promulgation of improvements in both classes are evidently very different in nature. If the manufacturer is immediately addressed, he may have to remount or to change his machinery. If the public are immediately addressed, they may merely have to purchase a useful article.

The difficulties attending the promulgation of improvements may also depend on the position of the person by whom such improvements are attempted. If he is in no way connected with the branch of manufacture to which he has turned his attention, his difficulties are very great. If he is indirectly connected with the manufacture, he has much greater facility, and, if he is immediately