40 THE TEAZLE. 



originally introduced by some of the numerous 

 foreign artisans, who have at various times sought 

 refuge here, or been encouraged to settle in Eng- 

 land. Our woollen manufactory could hardly 

 have made any progress without this plant : the 

 constant continental wars in the earlier part of our 

 monarchy, and the rival jealousies of foreign na- 

 tions, would have impeded, or prohibited, the 

 necessary supply of teazles, and thus rendered the 

 domestic cultivation of this indispensable plant a 

 primary object. The manufactory of cloth was 

 certainly carried on in England during the reign of 

 Richard I., perhaps in his father's reign ; but it was 

 probably not until after the tenth of Edward III., 

 that the teazle was cultivated to any extent with 

 us ; for about that time the exportation of English 

 wool was prohibited, and the wearing of foreign 

 cloth opposed by government. Flemish artisans 

 were encouraged to settle in this country, and carry 

 on their trade, with every liberty and protection ; 

 a regular mart was established ; and the tuckers, 

 or woollen weavers, became an incorporated body ; 

 particular towns began to furnish peculiar colours 

 Kendal its green, Coventry its blue, Bristol its red, 

 &c. ; and from this period, I think, we may date 

 the cultivation of the teazle in England. 



Hudson, in considering this species as indigenous, 

 directs us to hedges for our specimens ; but, though 

 the teazle is certainly found a wilding in some places 

 astray from cultivation, yet it is singular that with 

 us it does not wander from culture: though the 



