The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 26 · Section 1
Manufactures.
Natural Commodities are not to be expected to growe in this place, which is only the Field of Art, and Shop General of England, Cheapsiae being called the best Garden only by Metaphore, seeing otherwise nothing but Stones are found therein. As for London Manufactures they are so many, I shall certainly loose my self in this Labyrinth if offering to enter: in leaving therefore all intermediate Inventions to others; I will only insist on the Needle and the Engine, as the least and greatest Instruments imployed therein.
Needles.
The Use hereof is right ancient, though sewing was before Needles. For we*Gen. 3. 7. read that our first parents made themselves Aprons by sewing Fig leaves together, either fastning them with some Glutinous Matter, or with some sharp thing joyning them together.
A Pin is a Blind Needle, a Needle a Pin with an Eye. What Nails do in solid, Needles do in supple Bodies, putting them together; only they remain not there formally but vertually, in the Thread which they leave behind them. It is the womans Pencil and Embroidery [Vestis acu picta] is the masterpeice thereof. I say Embroydery much used in former, neglected in our age, wherein modern Gallants (affecting Variety of suits) desire, that their Cloaths should be known by them, and not as Our Ancestors, They by their cloaths, one suit of state serving them for several solemnities.
This Industrious Instrument, Needle, quasi Ne idle, (as some will have it) maintaineth many millions. Yea, he who desireth a Blessing on the Plough and the Needle, (including that in the card and compass) comprehendeth most Employments at home, and abrode, by land and by sea.
All I will add is this, that the first fine spanish Needles in England, were made in the Reign of Queen Mary, in Cheapside by a Negro, but such his Envy, that he would teach his Art to none, so that it dyed with him. More charitable was Elias Crowse a German, who coming over into England, about the Eigth of Queen Elizabeth, first taught us the Making of spanish Needles, and since we have taught our selves the using of them.
The Engine.
This general Word▪ … to all Machins or Instruments, use in this City hath confined to signifie that which is used to quench Scare-fires therein. One Mr. Jones a Merchant (living in Austin Fryers) fetched the first Form thereof from Norenberge, and obtained a Patent of King James that none should be made without his Approbation.
Two were begun but not finished in his Life time, who dyed in the great Plague Primo Caroli primi; since which Time, William Burroughs City-Founder, now living in … bury, hath so compleated this Instrument, that his additions, amount to a new Invention, having made it more secure from breaking, and easie to be cleansed, so that with the striking out of a Wedge, it will cleanse it self, and be fit to work again in Four Minutes.
Since, the aforesaid … hath made about threescore of these Engines for City and Country. The Cooper, Carpenter, Smith, Founder, Brasier and Turner contribute their skills to the … o… it▪ Yet may the price thereof be compassed for thirty five pounds.
It hath gained, because it hath saved many pounds, and (which is unvaluable) many Lives of men in this City. The best (though not the Biggest) was lately in the Church of …t. James Clarken-well, as hath many Times been experimented. A good Musician makes a good Instrument, and it was a poor Blew Cap (better known by his Work then Name) who played so w…ll thereon, that (though not with the left handed Gibeonites to hit the Mark within a Hairs Breadth) he could hit within the scantling of a Shilling: since a Newer at St Bridgets Church is a better, and no wonder if the Younger out active those who are more ancient; All wish'd this Engine may be brought forth once a Quarter to be scoured, oyled, and trimmed, but not to be used. But if there be an occasion thereof, may it effectually perform that, for which it was intended.