A history of lace

( 325 ) CHAPTER XXVIII. GEORGE III. “ In clothes, cheap handsomeness doth bear the bell, Wisdome’s a trimmer thing than shop e’er gave. Say not then, This with that lace will do well; But, This with my discretion will be brave. Much curiousnesse is a perpetual wooing, Nothing with labour, fully long a doing.” Berbert, The Church Porch. In 1760 commences the reign of George III. The king was patriotic, and did his best to encourage the fabrics of his country. From the year 1761, various acts were passed for the benefit of the lace-makers : the last, that of 1806, “ increases the duties on foreign laces.” 1 Queen Charlotte, on her first landing in England, wore, in compliment to the subjects of her royal consort, a fly cap richly trimmed with lappets of British lace, and a dress of similar manu facture. The Englishman, however, regardless of the Anti-Gallicans, preferred his “ Macklin ” and his Brussels to all the finest pro ductions of Devonshire or Newport Pagnel. Ruffles, 2 according to the fashion of Tavistock Street and St. James’s, in May 1773, still continued long, dipped in the sauce alike by clown and cavalier. 3 “ The beau, A critic styled in point of dress, Harangues ou fashion, point, and lace.” A man was known by his points he collected lace, as, in these more athletic days, a gentleman prides himself on his 'If imported in smaller quantities 2 “ Let the ruffle grace his hand, than twelve yards, the duty imposed was Ruffle, pride of 21. per yaid. ^ ^ wristbands (For cuffs you’ve none) as comely in the sauce As any courtier.” Beaumont and Fletcher.