Embroidery has replaced this industry among the workers of the town and the hand-spinning of hemp among those of the country.
Légende du point d'Argentan, M. Eugène de Lonlay.
Nouveau Réglement Général sur toutes sortes de Marchandises et Manufactures qui sont utiles et necessaires dans ce Royaume, etc., par M. le Marquis de la Gomberdière. Paris, 1634. In 8vo.
M. Fournier says that France was at this time tributary to Flanders for "passemens de fil," very fine and delicately worked. Laffemas, in his Réglement Général pour dresser les Manufactures du Royaume, 1597, estimates the annual cost of these "passemens" of every sort, silk stockings, etc., at 800,000 crowns. Montchrestien, at above a million.
This was established by Colbert, and there they made, as well as at Aurillac, the finest pillow lace in the style of point d'Angleterre. This manufacture was encouraged by the King and the Court, and its productions were among the choicest of the points de France.