MARKET-PLACE.
In this spacious area, which is surrounded by handsome and well-furnished shops, and whose public ornaments are the plain but respectable
building called the Exchange, built in 1747, where the town magistrates transact their weekly business, and a small octagon edifice enclosing a reservoir of pure water, the Conduit, erected in 1709, we must, having completed the circuit of the town, offer our farewell to our visitor.
Here closing our little tour, which has engaged us in an imaginary acquaintance with the intelligent stranger, we beg he will accept a friendly adieu: and a wish, that as he quits the town thro’ which we have conducted him, and which we have endeavoured to represent in a view not unworthy the attention of a mind that seeks for more than mere passing ideas of amusement, he may not consider that time as prodigally spent which he has passed in his walk through leicester.
April, 1804
MANUFACTORY
OF
THE TOWN.
The Manufactory of Stockings in this town and county, is the largest in the world; besides wove worsted hose, which are the staple article of the place, a great variety of cotton hose are now made, which from their cheapness, obtain a sale in this, and most other countries.
The machine by which these hose are made, was first invented in the year 1590, by the Rev. W. Lee, of Calverton, in Nottinghamshire, who exhibited it before Queen Elizabeth, but not meeting with that encouragement he so justly deserved, immediately left the country, and carried it to France, where he would have established it at Rouen, had it not been for the murder of the French king which prevented the execution of a grant of privilege and reward in favor of Mr. Lee and his art.
Soon after Mr. Lee died under great disappointment at Paris, and several of his workmen returning to London, laid the foundation of Stocking Weaving in this county. The manufactory has been gradually increasing, but within these last ten years has rapidly advanced to its present flourishing state. The number of workmen employed in this branch is not less than 20,000 who produce from the raw material about 15,000 dozen per week.
*†* A full account of this manufactory, in all its branches, is preparing for the press, and will be published in the course of the summer.