FLAX TRIBE 



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the fact that Eahab hid the Hebrew spies among the Flax spread on her 

 roof, we must infer that the plant was also grown in Palestine in ancient 

 days, as it is even now. 



It is thought that the preparation of flaxen thread was long almost con- 

 fined to Egj'pt, and that the Jews procured it chiefly from thence, and used 

 it in their fine twined work. The linen of Egypt was also used for sails ; 

 for when the Prophet describes the riches of ancient Tyre, he says, " Fine 

 linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth 

 to be thy sail ;" and the Prophet Isaiah mentions the failure of the Flax as 

 one of the greatest calamities which should befall that country. " More- 

 over," he says, " they that work in fine Flax, and they that weave networks, 

 shall be confounded." Herodotus mentions that theGrreeks received it in his 

 day from Egypt. The Emperor Severus is recorded as the first Roman who 

 ever wore a linen shirt ; for woollen garments were the usual attire both of 

 the ancient Romans and Greeks. In the time of Pliny, however. Flax was 

 generally cultivated in many parts of Europe; and that writer describes 

 linen so fine as to equal the web woven by the spider, and at the same time 

 so strong that it yielded a sound like the string of the lute. Still, however, 

 the linen of Egypt had the pre-eminence ; for this writer records having seen 

 a linen net from that country, of which the threads were so slender, that, 

 although every cord of the mesh was wrought of a hundred and fifty threads 

 twisted together, yet it could be drawn through a finger ring. 



It is generally supposed that the culture of the Flax plant was introduced 

 into Britain during the first settlement of the Romans, though some authors 

 doubt whether linen was ever manufactured here before the Conquest, Flax 

 not being mentioned as a titheable article before the year 1175. In the 

 sixteenth century Acts were passed enforcing its culture in this country, and 

 requiring that out of every sixty acres of land one rood should be devoted 

 to Flax or hemp grounds. Flax was formerly grown much more generally 

 in the United Kingdom than it now is. Many pretty domestic pictures of 

 olden writers, and many a painting wrought by the artist, remind us of the 

 time when Flax was spun at the cottage door into the garment of family 

 use. A little poem, written for this work by Mary Isabella Tomkins, alludes 

 to these times : — 



The Flax Flower. 



' ' It shimmers in the sunshine, 



That cnp of clearest blue, 

 As it did love to see above 



Its own reflected hue ; 

 A fair flower and a fragile, 



Each zephyr bears it down, 

 Yet know I none beneath the sun, 



More worthy of renown. 



" And ever when we see it, 



What pleasant fancies steal, 

 Of how, around the fireside found, 

 We watched the spinning-wheel : 



The spinning-wheel unwearied, 



When labour else was o'er ; 

 And saw how swift the shadows shift 



It casteth on the floor ! 



'There wrought the cottage mother, 



We list'ners gave good heed, 

 As loved she well with pride to tell 



What stores she kept for need ; 

 And how her skill the Preacher 



Applauds with kindly words, 

 Whose distaff and whose spindle heap'd 



Of old sucli household hoards." 



Extensive Flax plantations are to be found in various parts of Scotland 

 and Ireland, and in the latter country it supplies the material for its large 

 linen manufacture. Happily, this culture has increased in that land ; and 



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