70 FLAX CULTURE 



the desired result. In 1668, almost a hun- 

 dred years after, " England was almost 

 wholly supplied with linens from France." ' 

 In 1731 Parliament passed an Act that may 

 be commended to modern legislators, 

 preamble and all. It is entitled, 



" An Act for further encouraging the manufacture 

 of British sailcloth. 



" Whereas the wealth and prosperity of this king- 

 dom does very much depend upon the preservation 

 and improvement of its manufactures, and whereas 

 the manufacture of sailcloth does give a comfortable 

 support ... to many of his Majesty's subjects em- 

 ployed in the same, and there is reason to believe that 

 it would be greatly improved in this kingdom, and 

 the exportation of it to foreign ports considerably 

 increased, if the duties payable upon the importation 

 of rough and undressed flax . . . were taken off; 

 therefore ... be it enacted . . . That from and after 

 the 24th day of June, 1731, it shall and may be lawful 

 for any person or persons whatsoever to import into 

 this kingdom any quantity of rough or undressed flax, 

 without paying any subsidy, custom, imposition, or 

 other duty whatsoever for the same." 



Thus it appears, that, at the time when 

 England was maintaining a protective tariff, 



1 The Linen Trade, p. 363. 



