"Seize such as think not sacred what is sate, "And enemies deem'd to poor, to church and state."

This is a piece of land, called "The Parish Park," containing about half an acre, and has for many years been used as a play-ground for the children of the parish. It produces no rent, but there is a considerable quantity of fine Elm Timber standing upon it, and a stone commemorating the transaction.

In 1779, a small bequest of HENRY WILKINSON was laid out in planting on the School lands of Morland.2

1

1 Rep. v. p. 208.

2

Rep. vII. p. 592.

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.

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

66

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. I. ann. 1622.-Rymer's Fœdera, vol. xvii. p. 415.

In 1567, Mr. JOHN LUSH bequeathed 301., 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 Rep: XII. p. 351.

3 Rep. x. p. 62.

4

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