Of the annual income of the same trade, it is almost impossible to arrive at any positive results; but, in the absence of all authentic information on the subject, we may make the subjoined conjecture.
Income of the London Dust Trade.
| Sum paid to contractors for the removal of dust from the 176 metropolitan parishes, at 200l. each parish | £35,200 |
| Sum obtained for 900,000 loads of dust, at 2s. 6d. per load | 112,500 |
| £147,700 |
Thus it would appear that the total income of the dust trade may be taken at between 145,000l. and 150,000l. per annum.
Against this we have to set the yearly out-goings of the business, which may be roughly estimated as follows:—
Expenditure of the London Dust Trade.
| Wages of 1800 labourers, at 10s. a week each (including sifters and carriers) | £46,800 |
| Keep of 600 horses, at 10s. a week each | 15,600 |
| Wear and tear of stock in trade | 4000 |
| Rent for 90 yards, at 100l. a year each (large and small) | 9000 |
| £75,400 |
The above estimates give us the following aggregate results:—
| Total yearly incomings of the London dust trade | £147,700 |
| Total yearly out-goings | 75,400 |
| Total yearly profit | £72,300 |
Hence it would appear that the profits of the dust-contractors are very nearly at the rate of 100l. per cent. on their expenditure. I do not think I have over estimated the incomings, or under estimated the out-goings; at least I have striven to avoid doing so, in order that no injustice might be done to the members of the trade.