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Introduction
A feature of the eighteenth century was the Government’s ongoing, desperate and self-defeating attempt to support English industry by slapping taxes, tariffs and regulations on overseas competitors. Here, historian William Lecky looks at a few of the more egregious examples, from banning foreigners’ products to denying them technology.
At the end of the seventeenth century great quantities of cheap and graceful Indian calicoes, muslins, and chintzes were imported into England, and they found such favour that the woollen and silk manufacturers were seriously alarmed. Acts of Parliament were accordingly passed in 1700 and in 1721 absolutely prohibiting, with a very few specified exceptions, the employment of printed or dyed calicoes in England, either in dress or in furniture, and the use of any printed or dyed goods of which cotton formed any part.* A taste, however, had sprung up which it was found impossible to arrest, and a native manufacture began, though of more than doubtful legality. Manchester became its chief centre, and it was at last recognised, though with some restrictions, by an Act of 1736.* [...]
A law of George I, passed in the interest of the silk manufacturers, prohibited anyone from wearing buttons and button-holes made of cloth or other stuff.* In 1766 a lady was fined 200l. at the Guild Hall because it was proved that her handkerchief was of French cambric.*
* There were two so-called Calico Acts, not repealed until 1774. Macpherson’s Annals of Commerce recorded for the year 1721: “An act of parliament was therefor passed, to preserve and encourage the woollen and silk manufadures, &c. which absolutely prohibited the wear thereof, under the penalty of £5 for each offence on the wearer, and of £20 on the seller.”
* The exemptions in the Act of 1720 allowed for thread Fustian and raw cotton, which led to the small but spirited domestic market in cotton goods that forced recognition from Parliament in 1736.
* Dated 1720: “An Act for imploying the Manufacturers, and encouraging the Consumption of Raw Silk and Mohair Yarn, by prohibiting the Wearing of Buttons and Button Holes made of Cloth, Serge or other Stuffs.”
* This was reported in the Annual Register for the events of the previous year. “There was a trial lately at Guildhall upon a question whether a handkerchief seized upon a lady, was a French cambrick; the thing being clearly proved, she was condemned to pay 200l.”
Précis
Historian William Lecky looked back over eighteenth-century regulations intended to prop up the British silk and wool industries in the face of competition from abroad, especially India. The Calico Acts laid the ground in the early decades, and despite some exemptions, by the 1760s the wearing of cotton could attract hefty fines. (52 / 60 words)
Historian William Lecky looked back over eighteenth-century regulations intended to prop up the British silk and wool industries in the face of competition from abroad, especially India. The Calico Acts laid the ground in the early decades, and despite some exemptions, by the 1760s the wearing of cotton could attract hefty fines.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 45 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, although, because, besides, if, ought, since, unless.
Word Games
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