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HISTORY OF LACE.
A second manufactory was established by the Comte doMarsan, 4 5 in Paris, towards the end of the same century. Havingbrought over from Brussels his nurse, named Dumont, with herfour daughters, she asked him, as a reward for the care she hadbestowed upon him in his infancy, to obtain for her the privilegeof setting up in Paris a manufactory of point de France. Colbertgranted the request: Dumont was established in the FaubourgiSaint-Antoine—classic land of embroidery from early times—citedin the “ Revolte des Passemens—“ Telle Broderie qui n’avoitjamais este plus loin que du Faubourg S.-Antoine au Louvre.” A“ cent Suisse ” of the king’s was appointed as guard before the doorof her house. In a short time Dumont had collected more than2 00 girls, among whom were several of good birth, and madebeautiful lace called “ point de France.” Her manufactory wasnext transferred to the Iiue Saint-Sauveur, and subsequently tothe Hotel Saint-Chaumont, near the Porte Saint-Denis. Dumontafterwards went to Portugal, leaving her establishment under thedirection of Mademoiselle de Marsan. But, adds the historian, asfashion and taste often change in France, people became tired ofthis point. It proved difficult to wash; the flowers had to beraised each time it was cleaned; it was thick and unbecoming tothe face. Points d’Espagne were now made instead, with smallflowers, which, being very fine, was more suitable for a lady’sdress. Lastly, the taste for Mechlin lace coming in, the manu-facture of Dumont was entirely given up. 6
In the time of Louis XIV. the commerce of lace was distributedin different localities of Paris, as we learn from the “ LivreCommode,” 6 already quoted. The gold laces, forming of them-selves a special commerce, had their shops in the “ rue des Bour-donnais and the rue Sainte-IIonore, entre la place aux Chats et lespiliers des Halles,” while the Rue Betizy retained for itself thespeciality of selling “ points et dentelles.”
The gold and silver laces of Paris, commonly known as pointsd’Espagne, 7 often embellished with pearls and other ornaments,
4 Youngest son of the Comte d’Har-couit.
5 “ Vie (le J.-Bap. Colbert.” (Printedin the “ Archives curieuses.”)
6 “ l.ivre Commode ou les Adresses dela Villo de Paris,” for 1092.
7 For the introduction of the gold
point of Spain into France, see Spain,p. 80. The manufacture of gold lace inParis was, however, prior to Colbert.
“ 1732. Un bord de Point d’Espagnod’or de Paris, a fonds de re'seau.”— Gar-derolx! de S. A. S. Mgr. le Due de I'en-ihiecrc. Arch. Nat. lv. K. 390-1.