NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.

347

seven shillings and sixpence a yard, still retaining their ancientname of “ points.”

Many other descriptions of grounds were made. Wire(Fig. 129), double, and trolly, in every kind of quality and width.In the making of the finer sorts of edging as many as 200 threadswould be employed.

Fig. 129.

IP

W.V*

mm

Wire ground. NoitUaropion.

On the breaking out of the war with France, the closing of

our ports to French goods gave an impetus to the trade, and themanufacturers undertook to supply the English market with lace

similar to that of Normandy and the sea-eoast villages of France ;hence a sort of “fausse” Valenciennes, called the “ Frenchground.” But true Valenciennes was also fabricated so fine

O

(Fig. 130) as to rival the products of French Hainault. It was

Fig. 130.

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>*•««<£ jKw Vm »h»»•»>♦ *MA*AVAV

• -^aCv

ff/f %»»♦ »»«**» WAV.

Valenciennes. Northampton.

made in considerable quantities, until the expertness of thesmuggler and the cessation of the war caused it to be laid aside.

One-third of the lace-workers of Northampton were employed,previous to the introduction of machine-made net, in makingquillings on the pillow.

A “ point” lace, with the “cloth” or “toile” on the edge,for many years was in fashion, and, in compliment to the prince,