DERBYSHIRE TAPESTRY. 87 



between the threads of the warp, and by a glass tube [or a round 

 rod of wood from an inch to an inch and a half in diameter], 

 called the baton de croisure. In consequence of this separation, 

 half the threads of the warp are brought in front, while the other 

 half fall behind. To each thread of the leaf, at the height of the 

 workman's hand [he works sitting] , is attached a bit of fine cord 

 in the shape of a ring, called a coat, and these coats are fastened 

 [each by its string" or thread to a bar or pole passing along the 

 front of the warp just above the workman's head] . It is by 

 drawing forward these coats [taking hold of their strings as they 

 pass between the woof and the fastening pole or bar] , that the 

 workman, who is seated between the warp and the picture which 

 he is copying, can bring the threads forward [from the back], so 

 as to enable him to cross the warp and the woof. [These back 

 threads, when their coat strings are released, fall behind again, 

 and so tighten the woof thread just inserted.] The material for 

 the woof is wound on a wooden shuttle called a broach or flute. 

 [It is exactly like an ordinary bobbin, with one end elongated and 

 brought to a point for passing between the warp threads. The 

 hole at the flat end is used to place the shuttle on a spindle for 

 winding on its thread.] 



" To form the web, the workman takes a shuttle charged with 

 wool or silk, the end of which he fastens to the warp — to the left 

 of the space to be covered by the colour in his shuttle ; then 

 passing his left hand between the two leaves of the warp sepa- 

 rated by the baton de croisure, he draws towards him the threads 

 which this one shade is to cover ; his right hand passing between 

 the threads lays hold of the shuttle, which he brings to the right, 

 and his left hand taking hold of the coat strings above, brings 

 forward the back threads of the warp, while the right hand 

 returns the shuttle to the place from which it was first moved. 

 This passing and returning of the shuttle forms what is called two 

 shoots or a course. 



"The workman continues to repeat these courses one above the 

 other, following the extent and outline of the space to be filled in 

 by the colour in his shuttle, and fastens the end of it on the side 



