CONTENTS 
XV 
class, The improvements in production led to the adoption of a new policy 
for stimulating industry, not by recasting, but by abandoning the whole 
system. . a17 
[I. TEE INTRODUCTION OF MACHINERY IN THE TEXTILE TRADES. 
247. Cotton Spinning. The cotton industry was the field where the 
revolution first ocourred, through the inventions which Arkwright rendered 
successful ; though he failed to maintain his alleged rights, and power- 
spinning became very general. The weaving of cotton on linen warp had 
grown up during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, but cloth could 
now be made of cotton only; and foreigners were undersold. Ample supplies 
of material were available, though interruptions of trade were disastrous and 
there was an increased demand for labour; but the supply of water-power 
was limited, and the application of steam-power was followed by the growth 
of factory towns. . . . . . . . . - . 620 
248. The First Factory Act. The condition of parish apprentices in 
cotton factories attracted attention, not from the danger of overwork, but 
because of their defective moral training. The first Factory Act was directly 
connected with the Elizabethan apprenticeship system. . . 628 
249. Cotton Weavers and Wages Assessment. Before the power-loom 
came into use, the cotton weavers enjoyed great prosperity temporarily, but 
were soon reduced to receiving starvation rates of pay. The Arbitration Act 
of 1800 proved ineffective; and the weavers demanded an assessment of their 
wages under the Act of 1563. This had fallen into desuetude, and was 
repealed, in deference to doctrinaire opinion, with the result of throwing the 
cotton weavers on the rates in Lancashire. The Scotch weavers, when 
attempting to secure legal redress, rendered themselves liable to criminal 
proceedings. . . : . » . . . . » . 632 
250. Calico Printers and Overstocking with Apprentices. The intro- 
duction of machinery in calico printing led to the substitution of boys for 
men, and to overstocking with apprentices, The quality of the product in 
the cotton trades was improved by the use of machinery, . 639 
251. The Supply of Wool, Ireland and Australia. The condition of 
the woollen differed from the cotton trade, as spinning was widely diffused, 
and native materials were largely employed. The supply of English wool 
was limited, and seems to have been diminishing, so that there was more 
reliance on foreign wool, and revived anxiety, which showed itself in all parts 
of the country, about the smuggling of English wool abroad. A new source 
of supply was found, through the transportation of sheep to and develop- 
ment of squatting in Australia; but this source was not available for any con- 
siderable quantity till after the revolution in spinning had taken place. 642 
252. Carding and Wool-Combing. A great saving was effected by 
machines for carding and scribbling, and these had been generally adopted ; 
but the invention of machinery for the preliminary processes of worsted 
manufacture roused great antagonism among the wool-combers, . 649 
253. Spinning-Jennies for Wool. Hand.jennies for wool came into use 
ut the centres of domestic weaving, and spinning with the wheel ceased to be 
remunerative, even as a by-occupation. In 1793 the Berkshire justices