CHAPTER XXXIV.

LACE MANUFACTURES OF SCOTLAND.

“ Sao put on your pearlins, Marion,

And kirtle o’ the cramnsie.”

Scott uh Song.

During the treasonable year of ’45, Scotland was far too occupiedwith her risings and executions to give much attention to hernational industry. Up to that time considerable pains had beentaken to improve the spinning of fine thread, prizes had beenawarded, and the art taught in schools and other charitableinstitutions.

It was not till the middle of the eighteenth century that Anne,Duchess of Hamilton, known to society by tradition as “ one ofthe beautiful Miss Gunnings, ” seeing lace-makers at work whentravelling on the continent, thought employment might be givento the women of her own country by introducing the art intoScotland. The duchess therefore brought over women fromPrance, and caused them to teach the girls in her schools how tomake “ bunt lace, ” as it was termed.

Sir John Sinclair thus notices the school :—“ A small manu-facture of thread lace has long been carried on here. At an earlyperiod it was the occupation of a good many women, but, from thefluctuation of fashion, it has fallen greatly into disuse. Fashionagain revived the demand, and the late Duchess of Hamilton,afterwards of Argyle, found still some lace-workers remaining, towhom her own demand, and that of those who followed herexample, gave employment To these her Grace added twelveorphan girls, who were clothed, maintained, and taught at herexpense. Others learned the art, and while the demand lasted,the manufacture employed a good many hands. Though thenumber is again diminished, there are still above forty at thebusiness, who make handsome laces of different patterns, besidesthose who work occasionally for themselves or their friends. Per-