The Linen Trade, Ancient and Modern (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 Excerpt: ..." provided the warp thereof was entirely made of Linen yarn." In 1774 a statute was passed allowing printed goods wholly made of cotton, to be used upon paying a duty of 3d a yard, &c. The statute continued in force many years. In a report by Alexander Somerville of a journey made through the counties of York, Lincoln, Cambridge, and Norfolk, in 1773, to observe the management of Flax and Hemp there, the value of the quantity raised was estimated as follows: --In 1745, an act was passed, 18 Geo. II., c. 36, for the encouragement of the native Linen trade, by which it was enacted " that it shall not be lawful for any person in Great Britain to wear any cambric or French lawn under the penalty of 5, and the like penalty on the seller thereof." Another short act, 21 Geo. II. c. 26, was passed for explaining, amending, and enforcing the previous act, by farther extending the penalties to the vendors, and also to the milliners making up such fabrics. These acts, like many other which still cumber the statute book, must have been, in a great measure, inoperative, if indeed they were ever seriously intended to be enforced, and they ought never to have been passed. In order still farther to encourage the manufacture of sailcloth in Great Britain, which was then in a prosperous and improved state, and had previously been fostered by many acts of parliament imposing duties on foreign cloth imported, fec, an act was passed in 1746, 19 Geo. II., c 27, confirming previous acts, and ordaining that every vessel built in Great Britain, and in His Majesty's plantations in America, must, at her first sailing, be furnished with one full and complete set of new sails made of sail-cloth manufactured in Great Britain, under the penalty of 50: a...