NORMANDY.

189

free, without any corporation ; but those who make lace withoutbeing mercers cannot sell lace thread, the sale of which is 'verylucrative.” 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 , yetgood workers earn sufficient to live comfortably ; but those whohave not the requisite dexterity would do v T ell to seek some othertrade, as inferior lace-workers are unable to earn sufficient for amaintenance.” 10 M. Feret writes in 1824: 11 “ Dieppe laces are

MpIpHPIflpMMI

Petit poiissin.

in little request; nevertheless there is a narrow kind, named‘ poussin,’ the habitual resource and work of the poor lace-makersof this town, and which recommends itself by its cheapness and

Fif;. 89.

Ave Maria.

pleasing effect when used as a trimming to collars and morningdresses. Strangers who visit our town make an ample provisionof this lace ” (Fig. 88). The lace-makers of Dieppe love to give

’ “ Memoires paur servir a 1’Hislde la Ville de Dieppe, compostVannee 1761, par Micliel-Claude Gurbp. 99.

10 “ Memoir* 8 ehTonologiques

servir 'a l’Histoire de Dieppe, par M.Desmarquets,” 1785.

11 “Notices sur Dieppe, Arques etc.,par P. J. Ferret,” 1824.