LEA THER-MAKJNG. 



345 



It figured in nearly all the arts. It was used for harnesses and 

 saddles. It was fashioned into boxes and articles of ornament. 

 It served both as a protection and defense. Nevertheless, but lit- 

 tle progress could be made until the settlers had obtained a stock 

 of domestic cattle. Columbus is said to have brought the first of 

 these animals to America on his second voyage thither in 1493. 

 By 1610 they had been introduced into Virginia, while Plymouth 

 and the New Netherlands received a supply a few years later. 

 Tanneries then were started North and South. In a list of trades- 

 men to be sent to Virginia in 1620 are enumerated tanners, leather- 

 workers, and shoe-workers. In 1649 Captain Matthews, an active 



(ft) 



() 



Fig. 6. Hide-mill. The above figures (a and b) represent a working plan of the " Shover" 

 hide-mill, or ordinary "fulling" stocks for softening hides. It is essentially the same as 

 the apparatus used for fulling cloth, and is undoubtedly the forerunner of the modern 

 washing machine. 



figure in Virginian history, received legislative commendation 

 for his enterprise in the building of a tan-house, the manufacture 

 of leather, and the employment of eight shoe-workers. The Vir- 

 ginia Assembly, however, a dozen years afterward had to come to 

 the rescue of the industry, passing a law which required that tan- 



