Hi/lory of the Art of Dyeing, 201 



geQed, in all probability, the firft idea of this art; iatid the 

 above fubftaiices were, no doubt, the firft dye-fluffs with 

 which the inventors ornamented their clothing made of (kins. 

 When thefe appeared among their neighbours with theit 

 parti-coloured garments, a fpirit of imitation would natu- 

 rally be excited among the latter; and this paflion would 

 induce them to find out better dye-ftuffs; fuch as, by imi- 

 tating the bluenefs of the (ky, or the beautiful tints of bird^ 

 and flowers, might enable them to outfhine thofe who had 

 preceded them in this new art. 



But it would foon be obferved that this beauty was of (hort 

 duration, and that it was neccflary to renew the tints by a 

 frcfli application of the colouring fubftances. The many 

 experiments which mankind might eafily make while they 

 lived under the freedom of the early ages, and perhaps fome 

 fortunate accident, may have at length taught them hoW the 

 colours could be fixed, by preparing their fkins with falts and 

 other fubftances of the like kind. 



As mankind began to muhiply, new wants were created, 

 employments were increafcd, and thofe devoted to the fer- 

 vice of religion began to be diftinguiftied by a ceftaln kind 

 of drcfs from the other clafTes of fociety. Hence arofe par- 

 ticular ranks and conditions, to which certain diftinguifhing 

 mark:^ were afligned according to their functions; and fot 

 this purpofe no better or more certain means could be found 

 than diverfity of colours. In the earlieit ages^ therefore, par^^ 

 ticular colours were allotted to the leaders of aritiies, judges, 

 and pricils ; and for feftivals, funerals> akid feligioUs Cere- 

 monies. 



Mankind would now begin to confider dyeing as an art 

 not merely calculated to gratify vanity or to give pleafure to 

 the eve, but as an invention of the utmoft utility to fociety. 

 No longer contented with the dye-ftuffs furnifhed by vege- 

 tables and land animak, they began to fearch even the ocean, 

 with which they were become more familiar, and difcovered 

 a fubilance proper for dyeing purple, — the firft colour refpedt- 

 ing the origin of. which we find any certain information in 

 the monuments of antiquity. Almoft all thofe antient au- 

 thors who fpeak of this invention, afcribe it to love and-a 



Vol. IX, Co (hepberd's 



