J44 



THE EARLY HISTORY OF SILK. 



THE period when mankind first discovered that the 

 ball which contains the chrysalis of the Silk Worm 

 Moth might be converted into a texture so beautiful, is 

 hidden by the cloud of antiquity. Nor is it possible 

 to trace the progressive steps by which the high state 

 of excellence of the different kinds of manufacture 

 of this substance has been attained. But it seems 

 certain that the invention of converting the silky 

 filaments into various fabrics is due to the Chinese. 



If we go back as far as the oldest histories lead us, 

 we find that the Chinese had acquired a degree of 

 excellence in various manufactures, which they have 

 yet hardly improved upon, and equal to what has 

 been attained in the most civilized nations of Europe. 

 This is especially applicable to silk, colours, and 

 sugar. And, like other eastern nations, they have 

 made no changes in their modes of manufacture, nor 

 in the simple and rude structure of their machinery, 

 while other countries have made gigantic strides 

 towards perfection. 



