SPAIN.

from Home photographs of some curious relies of ohl Spanishconventual work—parchment patterns with the lace in progress.r f hey were found in the convent of Jesu Pambino, and belongedto some Spanish nuns who, in bygone ages, taught the art to thenovices. None of the present inmates can give further in-formation respecting them. The work, like all point, wasexecuted in separate pieces given out to the different nuns, andthen joined together by a more skilful hand. In 1 ig. 39 we seethe pattern traced out by two threads fixed in their places bysmall stitches made at intervals by a needle and aloe 7 thread

Fig. 10.

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Unfinished work of a Spanish nun.

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working from underneath. The reseau ground is alone worked in.We see the thread as left by Sister Felice Vittoria when bust sheplied her task.

Fig. 40 has the pearled ground, the pattern traced as in theother. Loops of a coarser thread are placed at the corners, eitherto fasten the parchment to a tight frame, like a schoolboy’s slate,or to attach it to a cushion, as in Fig. 0, page 18. In Fig. 41the pattern is first worked.

The ordinance of Philip III. against the wearing of lace, dated> «, enjoining “ simples rabats, sans aucune invention do point

The aloe thread is now usrd in Florence for sewing the straw-plait.