termined by the number of hanks to the lb. A hank
is 840 yds. The origin of the hank of 840 yds. is probably that
spinners used a winding-reel of 1-1/2 yds. in circumference, so that 80
threads (one "lea" or "rap" according to old phraseology) would
contain 120 yds., and seven leas (i.e. a hank) would contain 840 yds.
A hank of seven leas was the common measure in the woollen industry,
in which the reels were 1 yd. or 2 yds. in circumference. For details
see an article on the subject in the _Textile World Record_, vol.
xxxi. No. 1.

[32] The author of the memoir of Crompton (see bibliography).

[33] Specification 257.

[34] For further analysis of the arguments current see Chapman's
_Lancashire Cotton Industry_, pp. 66 et seq.

[35] Also in the 17th century a John Barkstead was granted a patent
for a method of manufacturing cotton goods, but the method is not
described. 1691, Specification 276.

[36] In the parliamentary reports (1840), xxiv. p. 611, the invention
of the swivel-loom is claimed for a "Van Anson." It is a plausible
supposition that by "Van Anson" is meant Vaucanson, as he appears to
have improved the swivel-loom. But he could not have been the
original inventor, since in 1724 (that is, when Vaucanson was at the
most fifteen years of age) they were being employed in Manchester.

[37] Aikin, pp. 175-176, and Guest, p. 44. An explanation of the
mechanism of the swivel-loom will be found in the _Encyclopedie
methodique, manufactures, arts et metiers_, pt. i. vol. ii. pp. 202,
208, and _Recueil de planches_, vol. vi. (1786), pp. 72-78.

[38] Figures for the years above up to 1838 will be found in
parliamentary reports (1840), xxiv. p. 611.

[39] This is the manuscript diary of a weaver of Oldham roughly
covering the period 1787 to 1830. It is now in the Oldham public
library. Mr S. Andrew edited extracts from it in a series of articles
in the _Standard_ (an Oldham paper), under the title _Annals of
Oldham_, beginning January 1, 1887.

[40] Printed in _British Industries_. Edited by W. J. Ashley.

[41] This is explained in the article COTTON: _Marketing and Supply_.

[42] See chapter on cotton in Bowley's _Wages in the United Kingdom_
and table there given.

[43] A detailed analysis of the whole labour question in the cotton
industry will be found in Chapman's _Lancashire C