462

STOCKING MANUFACTURE.

reason why knit stockings may become unravelled. Irrthe other species, the knots not only prevent the materialbeing taken apart, but they also render the nets sufficientlystrong to prevent even vigorous fish from escaping, yetbeing so capacious as to permit little fish to escape, with thewater, &c.

The art of knitting is not now, by any means, so generalas it was formerly, then unquestionably rated as it were amongthe number of female accomplishments ; and it is, certainly,rather wonderful, because when the mechanism is onceobtained, it requires no exertion of intellect to practise it;it may be continued silting, walking, and talking, or inalmost every other situation to which ordinary life is called ;and when it is considered that its produce* adds to thecomfort of the indigent, to the advantage of the poor,—and that to persons in easy circumstances habitual industryincreases their happiness, these things considered, it is withwonder and regret we see it fallen into disuse; particu-larly as it is an occupation suited to every age and capacity,which the infant is sufficiently strong to practise; and evenin the infirmity and weakness of age it is practicable. Wecertainly do hope and trust these observations may invite theattention of those meritorious individuals who have thedirection and management of our national scholastic esta-blishments, to revive the practice.'

Fishing nets are also in use among the most barbarousnations at this period, as various navigators have proved;frequently made of rude materials it is true,—some of thebark of trees, and others of the beards of whales, &c.

The Latins called the meshes of the net texere retia ?Pliny calls the yarn, or twine, stamen.

The art of making nets, or ornaments of fine yarn, issaid not to be a modern invention, it having been prac-tised for hangings, and articles of dress and ornament.In the middle ages, it appears, the clergy wore netting ofsilk over their clerical robes ; this assertion is made uponthe authority of Du Cange ? Professor Beckmann also says,he suspects those transparent dresses were used by ladiesmore than 400 years ago, to cover those beauties they stillwish to be visible. 4

The invention of preparing coverings for the legs of thisspecies of manufacture, is, we understand, of much laterinvention. That the ancients had not their legs or feet co-

i As the Greeks saj JtxTua. The Latins likewise call the meshes maculte

and nodi.

3 Acta S. Dcodati, tom, iii. Junii, p.871.

♦ Vol. ix. p. 291.