The wholesale grocery trade is carried on to a large extent by Messrs. Bream and Bennett, Mr. W. Belding, Messrs. Butcher and Nephew, Messrs. Copeman and Sons, Mr. H. Freeman, Mr. R. Fisher, Messrs. Newson and Co., and Messrs. Pratt and Hancock. This trade disposes of the bulk of the heavy goods brought to the city and sent away from it. The following is the return of the goods, inwards and outwards, for the year ending June, 1867:—
| Goods inwards by river | 60,000 tons |
| ,, Thorpe Station | 30,000 ,, |
| ,, Victoria ,, | 22,661 ,, |
| ,, Trowse ,, | 17,616 ,, |
| 130,277 tons | |
| Goods outwards by river | 100,000 tons |
| ,, at Thorpe | 53,000 ,, |
| ,, at Trowse | 20,434 ,, |
| ,, at Victoria | 7,534 ,, |
Cigars and Tobacco.
The manufacture of tobacco was introduced into Norwich in 1815 by Mr. Curr, formerly of St. Andrew’s. Since then the trade has gradually increased, and the various kinds of shag, twist, and cavendish, are now produced to the extent of between 100,000 and 200,000 lbs. yearly, by Mr. Newbegin of Bridewell Alley, and Mr. Kitton on the Dereham Road.
The only cigar manufacturers are Messrs. Adcock and Denham, of Post Office Street, and Mr. Stevens, Back of the Inns. Messrs. Adcock and Denham, are the largest makers in the Eastern Counties, and employ a considerable number of hands. At their establishment may be seen tobacco from various countries, and the curious enquirer will learn, no doubt with surprise, how many distant spots of the earth are laid under contribution to supply the demand which exists for the fragrant weed in the form of cigars—the importations being, amongst other places, from Columbia, Cuba, Havanna (in Cuba), Japan, Latakia, Manilla, Mexico, Paraguay, Porto Rico, &c. The operations, too, are interesting, though not easily described. From the case or bale in which the tobacco arrives, it passes into the hands of the person whose duty it is to soften it—a process which requires great skill and care; for the leaf is generally dry and brittle, and has to be shaken and well separated before the softening can be properly effected. The leaf, having been rendered sufficiently pliable, is next passed over to the “strippers,” whose work is to draw out the thick stem which traverses it from end to end. Then it has to be sorted—the light from the dark, the coarse from the fine—and laid in proper order for the “makers,” who with almost magical rapidity, and by the exercise of great nicety of judgment and manipulation, convert it into cigars of any required size, shape, and weight.
Upholstery.
There are several large workshops in this city, for the manufacture of every kind of furniture and cabinet work; and in these, some hundreds of skilled artisans are employed. Among the principal establishments may be mentioned those of Messrs. Trevor & Page, Post Office Street; Mr. C. J. Freeman, in London Street; Messrs. John Crowe and Sons, in St. Stephen’s Street; Messrs. Robertson and Sons, Queen Street; and Messrs. Drew and Corrick, in St. George’s Middle Street. All these establishments supply the best articles for furnishing a house or mansion. The historian who might wish to describe the familiar habits and usages of the present times, could not do better than spend a few hours in our large upholstery warehouses, where may be seen every kind of furniture, from articles which contribute to our homeliest comforts, to others which please the eye by their beauty and good taste. These may be found grouped together in profusion, making the impression on the mind that this must be a wealthy district to require the vast stores of goods kept in Norwich warehouses; but so it is, as every one knows who has visited the dwellings of many of our rich citizens. Luxuries are enjoyed by the well-to-do classes of to-day, which could not be found in baronial halls a few centuries ago.
Carriage Manufactures.
There are several large builders of carriages, gigs, carts, phaetons, &c., in this city, including Messrs. Jolly and Son, St. Stephen’s Street; Mr. Thorn, St. Giles’ Gates; Messrs. Howes, Chapel Field; Mr. Harcourt, Chapel-Field Road; Messrs. J. and J. Howes, Red Lion Street; Mr. W. H. Howes, Prince of Wales’ Road; Mr. Rudling, St. Martin’s at Palace. Mr. Thorn’s “Norwich Car” and “Norfolk Shooting Cart” are well known all over England. Messrs. Jolly build every sort of useful and fancy vehicle in the best possible style. We cannot here pretend to tell how much the construction of carriages has been improved in the present century, as compared with the old lumbering vehicles formerly in use. Suffice it to say, that by the application of science, English carriages have become the best in all the world.