ARGENTAN.

17

the persevering exertions of M. Ernest Lefebure it is about to bereorganised in the original seat of its industry. In January 1874,with the assistance of the mayor, he made a search in the greniersof the Hotel Dieu, and discovered three specimens of point d’Ar-gentan, in progress on the parchment patterns. One was of boldpattern, with the “ grande bride ” ground, evidently a man’s ruffle;the other had the barette or bride ground of point de France;the third bride picot/;e, showing that the three descriptions oflace were made contemporaneously at Argentan. M. Lefeburehas set up in the convent of St. James, in the city, a workshopfor making point de Argentan, the pupils under the direction ofthe most skilful lace-workers of Paris.

Some years since the nuns of the hospice offered to exchangea quantity of point d’Argentan and old guipure for a small sewing-machine, which proposal was rejected.

The author of a little pamphlet on point d’Argentan 12 re-members having seen in his youth in the Holy Week, in thechurches of St. Martin and St. Germain, the statues of theapostles covered over from head to foot with this priceless point

Point d’Argentan disappeared at the Revolution, though a fewspecimens were produced at the Exhibition of Industry in 1808.Embroidery has replaced this far-famed fabric among the workersof the town, and the hand-spinning of hemp among those of thecountry.

18 “ i.egende du Point il'Argeuian,’' M. Eugene de Lonlny.