275 



late experiments in France have fliown the prafticablity of clearing: 

 or whitening written and printed papers, and fitting them for being 

 returned to the mill, as the material for white paper.- This circum- 

 flance might deferve the attention and enquiries of the intelligent 

 manufafturer. Much nicety and care are requifite with refpeft to the 

 fteeping, and fermentation of the rags, before they are fubjefted to the 

 aftion of the rail! ; for if this operation is continued too long, 

 and the fermentation and putrefaction become violent, the texture of 

 the paper, to be made from the rags, will be proportionably weak. 

 In this and other particulars, were the manufafture duly encouraged, 

 and in a flourifliing ftate, a confiderable capital, and extenfive experi- 

 ence, guided, by a degree of commercial vigour, and prudent enter- 

 prize, might make many experiments and improvements. 



The ingenuity of raanufafturers might difcover many new objefts, 

 to which macerated linen might be applied. For inftance, hats, and 

 bonnets, for womens wear are formed of paper, which, for lightnefs, 

 neatnefs, and durability, are not inferior, to thofe of flraw, and chips. 

 Perhaps alfo, paper of a peculiar texture, and greater aptitude for 

 certain ufes, (as, for inftance, bank notes) might be formed by va- 

 rying the material of paper, and employing Clk or cotton, in the 

 place of linen. 



Though, not only the Englijh, but the French and Dutch are our 

 rivals, in this manufacture of paper ; there is none, in which we have 

 a fairer profpeft of contending fuccefsfully, and equalling, if not fur- 

 paffing our rivals. The Ejiglijh furpafs us only in capital and ikill ; 

 in all other refpefts, this country is the more advantageoufly circum- ■ 

 ftanced of the two, and it Ihould infpire us with confidence, that our 

 deficiencies are fuch as time and induftry may cure. 



The manufacture of hats is one, which particularly deferves the at- 

 tention of the Irljh nation, on many grounds. It is a manufacture of 

 general ufe and prime nccefllty ; little fubjeft to the variations of fa- 

 ihion — it employs domeflic produce — namely wool — or the fur of bares 



( M m 2 ) and 



fi\ 



