MANUFACTURES.

A CATALOGUE of the Manufactures, for which the English were eminent, even so late as the reign of KING JAMES the First, would appear very contemptible, in comparison with those which flourish among us at present. Almost all the more elaborate and curious arts were only cultivated abroad, particularly in Italy, Holland, and the Netherlands. Ship-building, and the founding of Iron Cannon, were the sole fabrications in which the English excelled.

Nine-tenths of the Commerce of the Kingdom consisted in Woollen goods. Wool, however, was allowed to be exported, until the nineteenth year of the King. It's exportation was then forbidden by Proclamation, though that Edict was never strictly executed. Most of the cloth was exported raw, and was dyed and dressed by the Dutch.1

1 Hume's Hist. of England, vol. vi. p. 181, et seq.

In so little credit was the fine English Cloth even at home, that the King was obliged to seek expedients by which he might engage the people of fashion to wear it.

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"And for that it is very fit to com"mend the wearing of the Cloth of our Kingdoms to other Nations by our own "example at home, we would have you "to consider by what means the Cloath "and Stuffs made of the wolls of theis "our Kingdoms may be more frequentlie worne by our subjects? to what sorts of

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people? to what purposes? and in what "manner it were fit the wearing thereof were enjoyned?”2

The manufacture of fine Linen was totally unknown in the Kingdom.

An inspection of these Reports will show, that the recommendations of the Government were not observed with indifference by those, who justly estimated the enterprise and manufactures of the Realm.

2 20. Jac. 1. ann. 1622.-Rymer's Fœdera, vol. xvii. p. 415.

In 1567, Mr. JOHN LUSH bequeathed 307., to be employed in Loans to young men, who were engaged in the making of Broad Cloth in the parish of Chewstoke, in the County of Somerset.3

In 1715, JOHN PORT, Esq., of Ilam, gave to the poor of Alstonefield, wool to the value of 40s. to be distributed amongst the poor inhabitants of that Ville, doubtless with a view to encourage industry. And, in 1722, CATHERINE PORT confirmed all the charities given by her father, adding donations of a similar nature to the neighbouring Parishes.*

In 1782, Dr. WILLIAM RICHARDSON, a liberal and enlightened Physician, bequeathed to the Mayor and Aldermen of Ripon, 3007., upon trust, that the yearly profits thereof should be applied towards making good the following premiums,— one, of 51. 5s., for the best piece of Woollen or Linen goods (whichsoever The Corporation should judge most proper to be encouraged), manufactured in the p. 351.

3 Rep. XIII. p. 62.

4

Rep: XIII.

Town of Ripon, or within three statute miles thereof,—and one, of 31. 3s., for the second best piece manufactured within the same district, to be determined at the Mayor's Summer feast.5

Among the liberal bequests to The Haberdashers' Company, by Mr. EDMOND HAMOND, in 1638, is one of 500l. to be lent, gratis, to five young men of The Company, for five years, any, to be preferred.

5 Rep. I. p. 491.

Silkmen, if

Rep. x. p. 218.

TRADES.

A FEW gifts are specially directed to be applied in the promotion of some particular Trade, of which the Donors may be supposed to have had a strong predilection, from being members of it.

In 1720, WILLIAM SMITH, Citizen and Barber Surgeon, committed to the special trust and confidence of the Minister of Over Stonar the yearly sum of 57. to apprentice a poor boy, to a Barber from time to time, "if he shall be thereto thought qualified." Mr. SMITH may be excused the high pretensions of his art, from the well known loquacity of that busy fraternity. It, however, appears that the directions of the will, as to apprenticing to Barbers, have not been strictly pursued. It would not be practicable to apply the fund solely to that trade, nor, if it were practicable, would it now perhaps be expedient. The objects of the Charity have