UPON MANUFACTURES.

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smaller number of different tools required in mak-ing them, as well as from less frequent change inthe adjustment of those tools. A similar economyprevails in the navy; by having ships divided intoa certain number of classes, each of which comprisesvessels of the same dimensions, the rigging made forone vessel will fit any other of its class.

(312.) The effects of the removal of a monopolyare often very important, and they were perhaps nevermore remarkable than in the bobbin-net trade, in theyears 1824 and 1825. These effects were, however,considerably enhanced by the general rage for specu-lations which was so prevalent during that singularperiod. One of the patents of Mr. Heathcote for abobbin-net machine had expired, whilst another, foran improvement in a particular part of such machines,called a turn-again, had yet a few years to run.Many licenses had been granted to use the formerpatent, which were charged at the rate of about fivepounds per annum for each quarter of a yard inwidth, so that what is termed a six-quarter frame,(which makes bobbin-net a yard and a half wide),paid thirty pounds a year. The second patent wasultimately abandoned in August, 1823, infringementsof it having taken place.

The bobbin-net machine occupies little space ;and is, from that circumstance, well adapted for adomestic manufacture. It had also hitherto yieldeda very large profit; it was therefore not surpris-ing that, on the removal of the monopoly arisingfrom this patent, a multitude of persons became de-sirous of embarking in the trade. The machineswhich already existed, were principally in the handsof the manufacturers; but, a kind of mania for ob-