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The Green Bug.

of the Norman William a few skilled weavers were introduced into the realm under the protection of the king, and gradually a set of Laws was enacted in regard to the manu facture and mode of sale of the product of the new industry. That the kings did not hesitate to avail themselves of all the perquisites which might possibly be coming their way in the woolen trade is shown by the fact that during the reign of Henry I., son of William the Con queror, a law was passed authorizing the seizure and burning of all woolen goods made in England wherein Spanish wool was mixed with the English. This law was intended to encourage the production of the domestic article, as the king received an income in the form of a tax on English-grown wool. As the Spanish fleece was of a much finer grade the temptation to use it was great. The law also determined where and how cloth should be made, certain towns being granted the privilege of manufacturing cer tain varieties, as broadcloths in Kent, kerseys and serges in Devonshire, etc., and these priv ileges the particular towns guarded most jeal ously, hunting out any encroacher upon their rights and dragging him to summary punish ment. But while the manufacturer was thus protected he was at the same time rigidly held to the production of honest goods by the appointment by the Court of a function ary dubbed the "aulnager," whose duty it was to inspect all the cloth made within his juris diction. A " nagger," he certainly must have been, a veritable thorn in the flesh of the tried woolen weaver who was never safe from his visits, when the precious bales of goods were subjected to a rigid overhauling as to quality, and measurement in width and length, every detail of which was regulated by statute. That these dignitaries knew the gentle art of the extended open palm behind the

back is demonstrated by several cases noted where, having been found guilty of bribe-tak ing, certain aulnagers were deposed from office. In fact the official history of those early days reads surprisingly like the morn ing paper, with the old titles substituted for those of Our city officials. Any sharing in the duplicity of the in spector and taking advantage thereof met with swift visitation of justice on the offend ing town, as is shown by a case mentioned in the reign of Richard II., where various manufacturers in the counties of Somerset, Dorset and Gloucester were found guilty of cheating. The quaint phraseology of the time is amusing. " Forasmuch as divers plain cloths wrought in these towns be found tacked and folded together for sale, of which a greater part be broken, bruised and not agreeing in color, neither according in the breadth nor in no manner to the same cloths which shew outwards, but falsely wrought to the great damage and loss of the people, insomuch that merchants buying the same and carrying them out of the realm to sell to strangers, thereby subject themselves to many dangers; perchance of being slain or imprisoned and put to fine and ransom," etc. The offending weavers were severely dealt with and were forbidden to fold and tack their goods before export as heretofore, having proved themselves not trustworthy. This is somewhat comforting, as it proves that the idea of putting the large peaches at the top of the basket where they " shew out wards," and the nubbins at the bottom, out of sight, is not of Yankee origin. Certain prescribed methods and tools were to be used in making the cloth or the offender was subject to a stay in jail and a payment of a good round fine. A yard was to con sist of the standard yard and the breadth of a man's thumb, in all about thirty-seven inches, and woe to the man who resisted the