WOOL, HIDES, AND BARK. 415 



high. The prices therefore give us no clue to the value of 

 local produce. 



One of the years, 1695, shows a markedly high price all 

 over the country. But on the whole, prices are lower than 

 they were at the end of the sixteenth century. It is note- 

 worthy that the lowest average is London and the Home dis- 

 trict. The fact is, the cloth manufacture of London and its 

 vicinity was insignificant. But that of the South-west, the 

 Midland, and the North was considerable ; while the Eastern 

 counties used coarse wools for the baize, finer fibre for the say 

 manufacture. 



The subjoined table is of Houghton's averages. 



