MANUFACTORY
OF
THE TOWN.
The Manufactory of Stockings in this town and county, is the largest in
the world; besides wove worsted hose, which are the staple article of the
place, a great variety of cotton hose are now made, which from their
cheapness, obtain a sale in this, and most other countries.
The machine by which these hose are made, was first invented in the year
1590, by the Rev. W. Lee, of Calverton, in Nottinghamshire, who exhibited
it before Queen Elizabeth, but not meeting with that encouragement he so
justly deserved, immediately left the country, and carried it to France,
where he would have established it at Rouen, had it not been for the
murder of the French king which prevented the execution of a grant of
privilege and reward in favor of Mr. Lee and his art.
Soon after Mr. Lee died under great disappointment at Paris, and several
of his workmen returning to London, laid the foundation of Stocking
Weaving in this county. The manufactory has been gradually increasing,
but within these last ten years has rapidly advanced to its present
flourishing state. The number of workmen employed in this branch is not
less than 20,000 who produce from the raw material about 15,000 dozen per
week.
* A full account of this manufactory, in all its branches, is preparing
for the press, and will be published in the course of the summer.