ABSTRACT
The japanners complained that the lacquered ware imported by the East India Companyhad ruined their “misteryand manufacture,” which on their own showing excelled in the imitation of Eastern methods.” With the Glorious Revolution of 1688, the East India Company lost its royal patronage. The Company, having been a Court favourite, Parliament looked upon it with suspicion and hostility. Sir Josia Child, the uncrowned king of the Company, was a very influential person, and knew how to humour those who were in power. But Child was a Tory, and he had many enemies like Papillon in the Whig party. Those enemies had long been looking for an opportunity to humiliate him, and they found it soon after the Glorious Revolution, when the Whigs came into power. About 1698 the East India trade revived with redoubled vigour. Imports again mounted up to high figures. Very severe penalties were imposed on the slightest violation of the law.
