ABSTRACT
It has been thought by some that the Luddite risings were confined to Yorkshire, but many of our readers will be aware tha£ risings of a similar character at Nottingham preceded the lawless doings which took place in the West Riding; the discontent here being fanned into flame by the apparent success which attended the risings in the capital of the lace trade, the two being in fact closely connected. In order that our readers may be acquainted with the widespread character of the Luddite conspiracy, we have thought it better to devote a chapter to a general account of the risings and their cause. Though this may perhaps not be so interesting as those in which we shall deal with the disturbances in the West Riding, it is still necessary to a proper understanding of the origin and progress of the movement.
