in commerce, a sort of open woollen stuff, having a long nap, sometimes frizzed, and sometimes not. This stuff is without wale; and is wrought in a loom with two treadles, like flannel. It is chiefly manufactured at Colchester and Bockin in Essex, where there is a hall called the Dutch-bay hall or raw-ball.

This manufacture was first introduced into England, with that of sags, farges, &c. by the Flemings; who, being persecuted by the duke of Alva for their religion, fled thither about the fifth of Queen Elizabeth's reign; and had afterwards peculiar privileges granted them by act of parliament 12 Charles II. 1660, which the bays-makers in the above places still enjoy.—The exportation of bays was formerly much more considerable than at present when the French have learned to imitate them. However, the English bays are still sent in great quantities to Spain and Portugal, and even to Italy. Their chief use is for dressing the monks and nuns, and for linings, especially in the army. The looking-glass makers also use them behind their glasses, to preserve the tin or quicksilver; and the cafe-makers, to line their cafes. The breadth of bays is commonly a yard and a half, a yard and three quarters, or two yards, by 42 to 48 in length. Those of a yard and three quarters are most proper for the Spanish trade.