as OhjeSis of the Art of Dyings 6?f . 347 



guid, fickened, and expired : and, with the 

 trade, the arc likewife perifhed. 



This example of the interference of govern- 

 ment, fo materially injuring, and even annihila- 

 ting an ufeful art, and the commerce depending 

 on it, though carried to an excefs, never likely 

 to be imitated in thefe days, fhould make 

 minifters cautious that they do not form laws 

 which may difcourage or fetter ourmanufaflures. 

 For freedom is the very foul of trade j and, in 

 proportion as the one is invaded, the other will 

 certainly decline. 



In this nation, the art of dying had made no 

 confiderable progrefs till about the beginning of 

 the laft century*. Before that period, our cloths 

 were fent to Holland, to be dreflfed and dyed. 

 Probably however this was pradtifed only in the 

 cafe of particular colours ; for it appears that the 

 dyers of London received their charter of incorpo- 

 ration from Henry the fixth. My friend Mr. 

 Charles Taylor has put into my hands a fmall 

 traft, entitled, A profitable book declaring dyvers 

 approved remedies, to take out fpots and ftainesy in 

 filkes, velvets, linen, and woollen clothes. With 

 divers colours how to die velvets andfilkes, linen and 

 woollen fujiian and threade. Al/o to drejs leather and 

 to colour felles ^c. &c. very necejarie for all men^ 

 ejpecially for thofe who hath or fhallhave any doings 



* Chamber's Cyclopaedia, article Dying. 



therein : 



