386 M O N I V A. 



bound him apprentice there, in order to learn 

 the whole bufinefs. Upon his return, he ma- 

 naged the manufactory for Mr. French, buy- 

 ing the yarn, paying weavers for weaving it by 

 the yard, bleaching and felling it. In this 

 manner it went on for fifteen years ; but as in 

 this ftate it was dependent on Mr. French's life, 

 he enabled this manager to take the whole 

 upon his own account, binding him to keep 

 every weaver on the eflate employed, whatever 

 might be the number. The progrefs of this 

 undertaking, united with the agricultural im- 

 provements, will be feen by the following re- 

 turns of the Moniva eflate, at different periods. 



In 1 744. There were three farmers, and fix or 

 eight fhepherds and cow-herds. 



In 1 77 1. There were two hundred and forty- 

 eight houfes, ninety looms, and 

 two hundred fixty-eight wheels. 



In 1772. Two hundred and fifty-feven houfes, 

 ninety-three looms, and two hun- 

 dred eighty- eight wheels. 



In 1776. Two hundred feventy-fix houfes, 

 ninety-fix looms, and three hun- 

 dred and feventy wheels. 



Here, in a few words, is the progrefs of a raoft 

 noble undertaking; and I fhould obferve, that 

 it is doubly beneficial from one circumflance. 

 All thefe weavers are mere cottagers in a town 

 without any land, except a cabbage-garden, by 

 which means they have nothing to do with 

 farming, but become a market to the farmers 



that 



