CHAPTER XXV.

011AKLES IT. TO THE HOUSE OF HANOVER.

CHARLES II.

“ The dangling knee-fringe, and the bib-cravat.”

Dryden, Prologue, 1674.

The taste for luxury only required the restoration of the Stuarts toburst out in full vigour.

The following year Charles II. issued a proclamation 1 enforcingthe act of his father prohibiting the entry of foreign bone lace;but, far from acting as he preached, he purchases Flanders laceat 18s. the yard, for the trimming of his fine lawn “ collobiumsindonis,” 2 a sort of surplice worn during the ceremony of theanointment at the coronation.

The hand spinners of gold wire, thread lace, and spangles, ofthe City of London, no longer puritanically inclined, now speakout boldly. ‘‘ Having heard a report the Parliament intend to passan Act against the wearing of their manufacture, they hope it in-tends the reform, not the destruction of their craft, for by it manythousands would be ruined. Let every person,” say they, “beprohibited from wearing gold, silver, and thread lace—that willencourage the gentry to do so.” 3

In 1662 is passed an act prohibiting the importation of foreign

1 1661. Nov. 20. “ State Papers, Dom.”Charles II. vol. xliv. P. U. O,

2 “ To William Briers, for making theColobium Sindonis of fine lawn lacedwith fine Flanders laco, 33s. id.

“ To Valentine Stinky, for 14 yardsand a half of very fine Flanders lace forthe same, at 18s, per yard, 12Z. 6s. 6<?.”—-4ec. of the E. of Sandwich, Master of theG. IF, for the Coronation of KingCharles If. 23 April 1661. P. R. O.

3 In the G. W. A. for 29 and 30 occurs

a curious entry by the master of thegreat wardrobe :—“ I doc hereby chargemyself with 5000 Livres by me received inthe reulm of France for gold and silverfringes by me there sold, belong to a ri,-liembroidered Bed of his said Majesty,which at one shilling and sevenpence plib. English, Being the vnlue of the Ex-change at that time, amounts to £39516s, Sd.

“(Signed) It. Mostauie.

“May 28, 1678.”