Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-05-19
FRANCES LACE INDUSTRY.
Royal DEGREES Regulating Early Man
ufzcture and the Present Pro-
ducing Places.

The manufacture of laces in France
dates back to the days OF Louis XIV In
the month Of August, 1868, the famous
Declaration du Roy" was published, de-
creeing the establishment in Arras
Rheims, Sedan, Alencon, Aurillac and
other towns in the kingdom Of manu-
afctures Of all kinds Of thread and
needlework, after the manner OF the
points made at Venice, Genoa, Ragusa,
etc. They were to be called "poincts de
France" and the decree provided that all
such work should be free from duty. In
order to encourage the industry in the
country, another decree. dated October
u, 1866, forbade any person Of any quail
ity or condition to wear, under pain Of
confiscation Of the articles and el,5OO
fine any Venetian or other foreign lace,
no matter OF what kind The following
year a second decree was issued forbid
I ding the wearing of any dress with sill
yer or gold facings and of lace made out
side the country. These DEGREES also for
| bade the manufacture or sale of any lace
other than that made in the royal manu-
factories and according TO the designs
of the directors Of the establishments.
Colbert. the minister Of Louis XIV,
was the chief instigator of these Ora
CONAN DEGREES. He Obliged the manu-
facturers TO make only one point or de-
sign, to the exclusion of any other. A
large number of localities only obtained
their living by the kind Of lace familiar
10 them, and everywhere IL was believed
that the opening of manufactures
whence, henceforth, designs were TO be |
issued would cause ruin But the real |
aim Of the government establishments
had not been understood. which was to
perfect the industry, in providing
models, designs and methods OF execu-
ton. constituting precious elements for
the Improvement ofthe ordinary manual
work.
For 20 years Colbert had to contend
with popular prejudice on the subject.
but he finally triumphed, for it was
through his efforts that the admirable II
'poinct de France" took rank among the
arts and industries Of the kingdom.
To-day, in spite Of the progress Of ma
lace in the numerous manu-
factories Of the northern and eastern
departments, the handmade article holds
a respectable rank. The lace makers
Cwomen) throughout the country not be-
Ing organized or syndicated after the
manner Of other workers, II is difficult
70 state exactly the number Of those who
work at the industry. but it does not fan
hort Of 100000 The wages they receive
ire in general but small, in proportion
o the talent and amount OF work fur
lished. There are places where clever
ace maker will not earn, for 70 or IA
ours work, more than 30 cents day.
In the country around Caen. Bayeux.
nd Falaise, in the Calvados, where for
nerly a great deal Of lace was manufac-
ured, the inhabitants have decreased
" 27,1S2. In the same department in
S51 there were 50. 900 lace makers. while
n 1875 they had fallen to 80. 900. Yet in :
pite Of the extraordinary improvement
D the machines. tho lowering Of the
ages, and the decline OF public taste.
he handmade industry holds a good 4
lany centers.
Alencon still produces its famous
pint daiguille, which enjoys so much
lvor and employs so many workers 90
DO) Handmade lace is found all along
le northern considerations. Hon 7
eur Bolbec, Fecamp. Dieppe Bayeux.
alaise and Lisieux. At Honfeur and
ieppe a special kind is manufactured
litating Valenciennes. But the most
tive center is at Bayeux, where Chan
ly lace is manufactured.
Flanders, the cradle of the lace in
Istry, has lost much of its prestige. r.
bile Lille and Arras produce but a
hall quantity of cheap grades For y
the town celebrated above
others for the lace art. the nimble
gers have ceased to ply the tuscan for
arly a century. although in certain
aces, such as Bergues. Cassel, Haze
Duck and Bailleul. an imitation Of this =
e lace is manufactured.
In the department of the Vosges and at
recount a very fine imitation of Brus-
Is point is made, and 10000 to q. 900
men still work therein. "
HILARY S. BRUNoT. a
Crude Drugs of Brazil. II
A conspicuous feature Of the rapidly
4r,Ea lat,.-z1.- -.