PAISLEY, though far ,from being a hand some town, ranks the third in Scotland in respect to population and commercial import ance, solely on account of its manufactures. In 1707 the principal articles made in the town were coarse linen, chequered cloths, and Bengals, to which succeeded chequered linen handkerchiefs, and goods of a lighter texture, such as lawns. About 1725 the machinery for making white sewing or ounce thread was introduced from Holland. About 1760 the manufacture of silk gauze was introduced upon the plan practised by the Spitaffields houses, and, during the greater part of the following 30 years, was carried on upon a very extensive scale. The reduction in the cost of cotton goods, consequent upon the invention of Arkwright's spinning machinery, lessened the demand for silken fabrics, the manufacture of which at Paisley has since then greatly declined.
Many of the principal establishments of Paisley are now exclusively engaged in the various branches of the cotton manufacture, among which the muslin branch may be par ticularly mentioned as that of which Paisley is regarded as the chief seat. A considerable
portion of the yarn used in making the finer qualities of muslins is imported from Lanca shire. Crape dresses and damask and em broidered shawls are also manufactured to a great extent. There are also brass and iron foundries, breweries, distilleries, bleach-fields, &c.
In the report of the School of Design for 1850 it is stated that the branch school at Paisley is gradually shewing beneficial results in the muslin and shawl departments. In the r attenas for embroidered muslins a more correct and graceful style of drawing is visible in those executed by pupils of the school.
A few details concerning the shawl trado of Paisley, now one of the most important— perhaps the most important—in the town, will be found under SHAWL MANUFACTURE.