148

HISTORY OF LACE.

to a handsome portion in England. Five thousand pounds’ worthof lace, linen, &c., is a common thing among them.”

The masks worn by the ladies at this period were of blackblonde lace 25 of the most exquisite fineness and design. 26 Theywere trimmed round the eyes, like those described by Scarron :—

“ Dirai-je commc ces fantnsquesQui portent dentelle a leurs masques,En cliamarrent les trous des yeux,Croyant que le masque en est mieux.”

In the reign of Louis XV., point de France was rivalled by

Fi

75.

• »' *,i

Marie Ihdrese Ant. Rapb., Infanta of Spain, first wife of Louis Dauphin, son of Louis XV.

By Tocqud. Dated 1748. Musee Rationale, Versailles.

Angleterre 27 and Malines. Argentan and Alenfon (Fig. 75) weredeclared by fashion to he “ dentelles d’hiver ”: each lace now

pour la mere, gamies de dentelle. 24bonnets ronds de 3 ages en dentelle. 12bavoirs de deux ages, garnis en dentelle.”The layette was furnished together withthe trousseau.

25 “ 1787 . Pour achat de 11 au. blondenoire, a 6 10, 71 livres 10 sous.”— Comptesde Monsieur Hergosae. Bib. Nat. MSS.F. Fr. 11,447.

M When the Empress Josc'phine wasat Frankfort oil the Main, a masked ball

was given on the occasion. The ladies,says Mademoiselle Avrillion, wore shortdominoes with their faces covered with amask, “ le tour des yeux garni d’unepetite dentelle noir.”— MtTm. de Made-moiselle Avrillion, premiere femme dechamhre de iImperatrice. Paris, 1833.

!I A few extracts from Madame duBarry’s lace accounts will furnish anidea of her consumption of point d’Angle-terre:—