NORMANDY. 189 free, without any corporation ; but those who make lace without being mercers cannot sell lace thread, the sale of which is very lucrative.” 9 About twenty years later, we read : “ The lace manufacture, which is very ancient, has much dimished since the points, embroidered muslins, and gauzes have gained the preference; yet good workers earn sufficient to live comfortably; hut those who have not the requisite dexterity would do well to seek some other trade, as inferior lace-workers are unable to earn sufficient for a maintenance.” 10 M. Feret writes in 1824: 11 “ Dieppe laces are Fig. 88. Petit poussin. in little request; nevertheless there is a narrow kind, named ‘ poussin,’ the habitual resource and work of the poor lace-makers of this town, and which recommends itself by its cheapness and Fig. 89. Ave Maria. pleasing effect when used as a trimming to collars and morning dresses. Strangers who visit our town make an ample provision of this lace ” (Fig. 88). The lace-makers of Dieppe love to give 0 “ Mem iires pour servir a l’Histoire de la Ville de Dieppe, compose's en l’annee 1761, par Mieliel-Claude Gurbert,” P. 99. 10 “ Memoires clironologiques pour servir a l’Histoire de Dieppe, par M. Desmarquets,” 1785. 11 “Notices sur Dieppe, Arques etc., par P. J. Ferret,” 1824.