CURIOUSLY PAINTED EGGS. 191 



of making presents of eggs at Easter. The allu- 

 sion evidently intended in this practice, was to the 

 Resurrection. In process of time the custom of 

 making these egg presents, led to the adornment 

 of the eggs in a most extraordinary manner. The 

 egg was sawn open with a fine instrument, in the 

 direction of its long diameter ; the shells are then 



cleaned and dried, and lined with gilded paper ; 

 externally they are adorned with figures of various 

 kinds. By a little dexterity, holes were made at 



