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of Abraham. We would not ro1y upon the fabulous history of China; 

 but refer to the bible for belter authority being the oldest and most 

 reliable history. 



The late President Stiles, of Yale CoHege, one of the best lingu- 

 ists of our country, the pioneer of silk culture in New England, kept 

 a journal of his experiments, and, the introduction of it into Ameri- 

 ca, and of its progress m other parts of the world; a precious docu- 

 ment to perpetuate the history of silk, kept in the archives of Yale 

 College, to which I have added a supplement to bring down the hi.story 

 to the present time. 



President Stiles adduces the antiquity of silk from the LXX , 

 from Genesis, Leviticus second Samuel, first Chronicles, Psalms, 

 Proverbs, &c. 



Lexicographers opine, that the Hebrew words Shesb and Meshi^ 

 and perhaps other Hebrew words, might have been rendered either 

 silk, cotton, or fine linen. 



The mulberry tree, which furnishes the only appropriate nourish- 

 ment for growing silk, was early recognized in Palestine, the valley 

 of Bacca, too, may have been so called from the abundance of mul" 

 berry trees. 



But whether the mulberry tree and its uses originated in Palestine 

 Egypt or Babylon, and thence transmitted into China, in consequence 

 of wars, emigration or captivity of Jews, Egyptians or Babyloneans, 

 or, whether the origin was in China, and then passed into Europe, is 

 of use only as evidence of its great antiquity j there is, however, good 

 foundation for the belief that the uses of silk in some way, was known 

 before it was cultivated in China. Chinese chronology is too apoc- 

 ryphal to set aside more authentic records. 



European governments have expended vast sums to establish thv 

 culture of silk in their respective territories; and the British Gov- 

 ernment, to promote the culture in Georgia, within the first six ycar-7 

 expended about thirty-three thoxisand dollars If one third of the 

 exports of Italy consists of raw and manufactured silks, and if silks 

 constitute one of the greatest sources of revenue in France, need we 

 dispair of approximating similar results, let us profit by their exam- 

 ple. 



