CLOTH AND CORDAGE FROM NETTLES. 



133 



a new substance of productive labour would be of to the com- 

 munity of this manufacturing count -y, particularly as afford- 

 ing a new source of industry to the increased numerous poor 

 of both sexes, in truth, so operated on my mind, as to create 

 a great unwillingness to suffer any exertions consonant with 

 my limited powers, from total disadvantage-,, to lie dormant. 

 I am, therefore, very desirous by unremitted endeavours to 

 be instrumental in disseminating the knowledge of, and the 

 means of bringing into use, so valuable a spontaneous pro- 

 duction as the common nettle substance, under the sanction 

 and through the medium of the enlightened Society of Arts 

 &c. These considerations, aided by the hope of obtaining 

 their farther approbation, have stimulated me to persevere 

 jjn my attempts to contribute all in my power towards the ad- 

 vancement of so desirable and beneficial an object ; in the 

 expectation, that when all the different fabrics, which that Fabrics from 

 substance is capable of being converted into, are produced, the nettle, 

 it may have a greater tendency towards encouraging others 

 to embark in a manufactory thereof, than volumes written on 

 the subject. With these sentiments I am induced to trouble 

 thee farther, in requesting thou will be so kind to favour me 

 by laying before the Society the different specimens of manu- 

 factory from the nettle substance, which I have at present in 

 readiness, and which will be sent to thee by the Brentwood 

 coach, which inns at the Blue Boar, Aldgate, and I expect 

 will be delivered soon after the receipt of this. The cordage Cordage. 

 Nos. 1 & 2 is affirmed by the cord-spinner to be of equal 

 strength to that made from hemp. The cloth No. 1 is rough 

 from the loom ; No. 2, the same fabric half bleached; and Clothe 

 No. 3, which I ordered to be huckaback, also is only half 

 bleached for want of sufficient time for the process. The This injured 

 quality of the cloth hatn suffered throughout, by the negli- b y the manu- 

 gence or willfulness of the manufacture,-, and is principally 

 owing to the raw material having been only passea through 

 such heckles as are used for the coarse part of the hemp ma- 

 nufactory; — other necessary operations were omitted, incon- 

 sequence of mj instructions not being attended to by the 

 person into whose case it was entrusted. He resides in the 

 country, at a great distance, and his capability and integrity 

 proved greatly inferior to the opinions I had eute U ' 



