MECHLIN.

101

city, on its part, offered to the empress a collection of its finestlace, on vrai reseau; also a curtain of Brussels point, emblematicof the birth of the King of Rome, with Cupids supporting thedrapery of the cradle. After the battle of Waterloo, MonsieurTroyaux, a manufacturer at Brussels, stopped his lace manufactory,and” turned it into an hospital for English soldiers. His humaneconduct did not go unrewarded '. he received a decoration fromhis sovereign, while his shop was daily crowded with Englishladies, who then, and for years after, made a point of purchasingtheir laces at his establishment. (Coloured Plate VI.) MonsieurTroyaux made a large fortune, and retired from business . 36

MECHLIN.

“ And if disputes of empire rise betweenMechlin, the queen of lace, and Colberteen,

’Tis doubt! ’tis darkness! till suspended FateAssumes her nod to close the grand debate.”

Youug, Love of Fame.

“ Now to another scene give place:

Knter the Folks with silk and lace,

Fresh matter for a world of chat.

Right Indian (his, right Maeklin that.”

Swift, Journal of a Modern Lady.

Mechlin, the finest lace of all! ”

Anderson, Origin of Commerce.

“ Rose. Pray what may this lace be worth a yard ?

•• Balance. Right Mechlin, by this light! ”

Farquhar, The Recruiting Officer.

Mechlin is the prettiest of laces, fine, transparent, and effective.It is made in one piece, on the pillow, with various fancy stitchesintroduced. Its distinguishing feature is the flat thread whichforms the flower, and gives to this lace the character of embroidery

36 To afford an idea of the intrinsic value of Brussels lace, we give an estimate ofthe expense of a fine flounce (volant) of “vrai re'seau me'lange” (point and plat), 12metres long by 35 centimetres wide (13} yards by 14 inches)

Cost of the plat .

Francs.

. . 1885-75

Needle point

. . 5000

Open work, “jours ’ (tonnage) .

. . 390

Applique' (stricage) . .

Ground (reseaul

. . 2782

Footing (engrelure) ....

. . 1-27

Total .

. . 10859-02 = 434i. 7s. 6 d.

Equals 3t>?. 3s. ( Jd. the metre, and tiie sellingwould make the flounces amount to flOW. 12*.

price would be almut 501 l(is., which