, 1574, the queen issued from her "Manour of Greenwich"
this proclamation against "excesse of apparel, and the superfluitie
of unnecessarye foreign wares thereto belonginge," which is declared
to have "growen by sufferance to such an extremetie, that the
manifest decay, not only of a great part of the wealth of the whole
realme generally, is like to follow by bringing into the realme such
superfluities of silkes, clothes of gold, sylver, and other most
vaine devices, of so greate coste for the quantitie thereof; as of
necessitie the moneyes and treasure of the realme is, and must be,
yeerely conveyed out of the same." This is followed by three folio
leaves minutely describing what may be worn on the dresses of every
grade of persons; descending to such minutiae as to note what classes
are not to be allowed to put lace, or fringes, or borders of velvet
upon their gowns and petticoats, under pain of fine or punishment,
because improper for their station, and above their means. The order
appears to have been evaded, for it was followed by another in
February, 1580, which recapitulates these prohibitions, and renders
them more stringent.

[248] The list of a very few of those issued at the early part of
his reign may illustrate this. In 1604 was published a "Proclamation
for the true winding or folding of wools," as well as one "For the
due regulation of prices of victuals within the verge of Kent." In
1605, "Against certain calumnious surmises concerning the church
government of Scotland." In 1608, "A proclamation against making
starch." In 1612, "That none buy or sell any bullion of gold and
silver at higher prices than is appointed to be paid for the same."
Another against dying silk with _slip_ or any corrupt stuff. In
1613, for "Prohibiting the untimely bringing in of wines," as well
as for "Prohibiting the publishing of any reports or writings of
duels," and also "The importation of felt hats or caps." In 1615,
"Prohibiting the making of glass with timber or wood," because "of
late yeeres the waste of wood and timber hath been exceeding great
and intolerable, by the glassehouses and glasseworkes of late in
divers parts erected," and which his majesty fears may have the
effect of depriving England of timber to construct her navy!

[249] I have noticed it in Calamities of Authors.