This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1731. Excerpt: ... well as his own private Gain. If this Trade could be fixed, and any Quantities vended in that vast Country, and the fine Silk above-mentioned imported, it would exceedingly add to the Profits we already receive by the Indian Trade, and bring those Advantages with it, that may enable us to vye with any Kingdoms in Europe in the Silk Manufactures; for as Cheapness and Goodness always give Preference, Silk so imported from China would answer in both Respects. And it is to be hoped, Improvements of this Kind would be readily undertaken by the Company, and be an acceptable Service to them, as well as to the Nation in general. The Licenses given by the Company to private Merchants, to carry on a coasting Trade in India has been of great Advantage to this Nation, and several Merchants that transported themselves thither, have by that Means been enabled not only to pay Debts here, but also put themselves into a Way of raising Fortunes for themselves and Families. CHAP. XXII. French FaJJoions pernicious to England. SCARCELY any thing is more surprizing, than our Fondness of French Fajhiom. Monf. Colbert, that great and able Minister, saw how much we were attached to them. It so far prevailed in the Reign of King Charles the Second, that our Falhionmongers were forced to go to France several Times in the Year to see what was fit for our Court and Quality to wear; which occa occasioned the laying out of large Sums of Money in the rich Silk Manufactures of that King-, dom. As soon as those Silks came over, our Weavers got the Fashion, and made Silks to 'the French Patterns; but before they could dispose of them, the French artfully invented other new fashion'd Silks, which prevented the Sale of those made here, and discouraged the EngUJh Manufacturers by changing Fa...