255 



The filk manufafture deals more in the fabricks of luxury and fu- 

 perfluity, than the linen, the woollen, or even than that of cotton. In 

 our own days, we have witnefled it retaining much of its ancient prof- 

 perity, and have fince beheld its rapid decline to a ftate of compa- 

 rative infignificance. This great change has chiefly talicn place, fince 

 Arkwright's invention of cylinders and water-machines have enabled the 

 BritiJJ} manufaiflurer to produce cotton warps, and thofe of any de- 

 gree of finenefs, by the help of which, the weaver is enabled to pro- 

 duce Britijh muflins and callicoes, little inferior in quality, to thofe of 

 India, and at prices infinitely reduced. The fabricks of cotton are fo 

 light, fo cheap, and at the fame time fo ornamental ; and the grand 

 advantage which they, in common with linens poffefs, of being fufcep- 

 tible of wafliing over and over again, without detriment, is fo favour- 

 able both to cleanlinefs and {how ; that we cannot wonder at this re- 

 volution, in favour of cotton, to the detriment of filken fabricks. 



The filk manufacture being fo much the creature of fafliion, which 

 exercifes a defpotic and capricious tyranny over what yet remains of it ; 

 much of its merit and fuccefs mull depended on fancy, tafte, the new- 

 nefs of the pattern, the feizure of the fugitive glance of falhion. It 

 fhould therefore feat itfelf in a capital, or fome place, where govern- 

 ment is fixed, where a court is held, and fafhions* originate ; that it 

 may mark and catch the fluftuations of vanity, living as they rife, and 

 thrive on the expences and follies of the rich and luxurious. This ne- 

 ceffity of being carried on in a capital is a flrong objeftion, to a ma- 

 nufafture. Artifts refiding in great cities are commonly more diflipated 

 and vicious, and more difpofed to riot and combination, than any others. 

 If this fliould not be the cafe, notwithftanding the high price of la- 

 bour, they will be more poor and wretched,- than other labourers ; 

 both, on account of the advanced price of all necefi!aries of life, and 

 of the injuries which their health mud fuftain, from the noxious air 



they 



* See Dr. Smith's Wealth of Nations. 



