2

HISTORY OF LACE.

ancient Greeks. We read how Minerva, goddess of wisdom,though she scarcely can be said to have encouraged the art, tookit under her especial patronage, and dire was the punishmentinflicted upon Arachne, who dared to rival the goddess in this herfavourite pursuit:—

“ Arachne once, as poets tell,

A goddess at her art defied ;

But soon the daring mortal fellThe hapless victim of her prfde.” 9

In Homer, and other early authors, we have constant mentionof veils , 10 cauls, and networks of gold, as well as of embroideredgarments, while the outer tunics of the Egyptian robes of state, asdepicted on the tombs, appear fashioned of a looped network orcrochet, darned around the hem in patterns of gold, silver, anddivers colours, realising the saying of Isaiah: “ They that workin fine flax, and weave networks.” 11 It was doubtless from theEgyptians that the Israelites learned the art.

Alexander the Great and Augustus Cats-tr both showed theirestimation of the needle; and the perfection of the Phrygianwomen caused all fine embroidery to be called by their name . 12Gold threadwork was known to the Romans.

The author of “ Letters from Italy,” 13 speaking of the cabinetat Portici, mentions an elegant marble statue of Diana, dressed“ after the purple gowns worn by the Roman ladies; the garmentis edged with a lace exactly resembling point; it is of an inch anda half broad, and has been painted purple.”

But nations far removed from civilisation were by no meansignorant of this handicraft, as the discovery of gold needles andother working implements in the Scandinavian tumuli can testify.Of these works little now exists even in the Northern museums.

’ Goldsmith.

"> So Pallas:

“Within her father’s threshold droppedher veil

Of airy texture—work of her ownhand.”

Iliad, book viii., Lord Derby’s trans.And again, when Diomed woundsVenus, his spear pierces

“ Th’ ambrosial veil, the Graces’ work.”

Ibid.

" Chap. xix. 9. Also: “Fine linenwith broidered work from Egypt wasthat which thou sprcadest forth to bethy sail ”—Ezekitl xxvii. 7; and again,ver. 16: “ Syria was thy merchant . . .they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds,purple, and broidered work, and finelinen, and coral, and agate.”

12 “ Opus phrygiauum.”

13 In the years 1770 and 1771. By anEnglishwoman (Mrs. Miller). London,1777.