296 A. D. 1753. 



proving and civilizing the Highlands, and the fuccefs of any proviliou 

 for that purpofc will tend to the general good of the whole united 

 kingdom, and alfo of Ireland : it is now enacted, 



I) That, from the expiration of the term for which bounties, by the 

 herein-recited ads, are granted on the exportation of Britifli and Irifli 

 coarfe linens, the annual fum of L3000 fhall be paid for nine years to 

 the cafhier of the commiflioners and truftees for improving the fiflieries 

 and manufactures in Scotland, and fhall be applied by them for en- 

 couraging and improving themanufadture of linens in the Highlands only. 



II) No part of the faid fum fliall be applied for any other ufe than 

 for inftruding and exciting the inhabitants of that part of Scotland 

 to raife, prepare, and fpin, flax and hemp to be ufed in the manu- 

 fadture of coarfe linens, and to weave yam, there fpun, into fuch 

 linen ; and for providing the inhabitants with fit materials and uten- 

 iils for thofe purpofes ; and for diftributing rewards and prizes to the 

 growers, preparers, fpinners, weavers, and other manufaclurers, in 

 refped either to the quantity or excellence of the flax or hemp fo raifed 

 and prepared, and of the yarn fo fpun, wove, or otherwife manu- 

 factured ; and for fuch other like ufes as the commiflioners fhall think 

 proper, for promoting the true intent of this ad. The faid annual fum 

 fhall be paid in like manner as the annual fum of L2000, and the 

 furplufage of the duty on malt made in Scotland, by the 13th of Geo. I, 

 for encouraging and promoting fiflieries and other manufactories and 

 improvements in that part of Great Britain called Scotland, or as by 

 letters-patent under the great feal in Scotland, are direded to be paid. 



This year an ad of parliament pafled, for the purchafe of the 

 mufeum or colledion of Sir Hans Sloane, and of the Harleian coUedion 

 of manufcripts : and for providing one general repofitory for the better 

 reception and more convenient ufe of the faid colledions; and of the 

 famous Cottonian library, and of the additions made and to be made 

 thereto. Now, though this flatute has no immediate connedion with 

 commercial hiftory, yet its confequences are like to prove fo noble, fo 

 much to the honour of the nation, and fo much tending to draw 

 foreigners from all the polite parts of Chriftendom to London, for 

 viewing fo incomparable a colledion of rich, fcarce, and matchlefs, 

 curiofities, of nature and art, that we could not pafs it over in filence; 

 more efpecially as, in its more remote confequences, it is likely to 

 prove hereafter very beneficial to commerce. 



The preamble fets forth, ' that Sir Hans Sloane baronet, deceafed, 

 ' having through the courfe of many years, with great labour and 

 ' expenfe, gathered together whatever could be procured either in our 

 • own or foreign countries that was rare and curious, by a codicil 

 ' bearing date 20th July 1749, — (after having exprelFed his defire, that 



