FRANCE. 153 



merous in wool, the fall was five in eight : 

 in thofe of the Orleannois, which are ex- 

 tremely extenfive, and have their export at 

 Nantes, the declenfion was two in three; 

 and in the other fabrics of the kingdom, it 

 was afierted, that the decline has been no 

 lefs. Thofe manufactures which work 

 pretty much for the American, Indian, and 

 African export, were nearly ruined. Re- 

 fpecting the revival of thefe numerous bo- 

 dies on the peace, fome of them recovered 

 pretty fpeedily, but not near to their former 

 height ; fome advanced very flowly ; fome 

 are to this day in a very bad fituation ; and 

 fome will never recover at all. Yet the 

 Miniftry has been extremely attentive to 

 animate them as much as poflible, by every 

 means in their power. 



They affured me, that the whole export 

 of French manufactures, fince the peace of 

 Paris, has been inconfiderable, America and 

 Spain excepted. The fugar iQands form a 

 confumption, which no misfortunes can de- 

 prive them of, while they poJTefs fuch va- 

 luable colonies. With Spain there is fo 

 clofe a connection, that the import of French 

 fabrics has been much favoured lately. Thefe 



are 



