132 Correspondence regarding Indian Dye-Stuffs and Silks. [July, 



and profitable industry to which your Lordship refers, I shall be glad to 

 place my services at your Lordship's disposal, and would devote a portion 

 of my time to the subject in the direction I have suggested. 



For that purpose I should require as much information as is known to 

 the authorities of the India Museum on the various dye-stuffs of Indian 

 growth and production, with working samples of them, and also samples of 

 the tusser and other wild silks, which I could have thrown and spun suita- 

 bly for dyeing experiments. 



I would endeavour to apply these dyes to the silks, and be prepared to 

 teach the natives of India how to use them practically, as well as any or all 

 those I at present understand. 



I have derived very useful information from the Indian Museum on 

 several occasions, and I take this opportunity of mentioning that its inac- 

 cessibility has prevented my using it as much as I should have done, and 

 also prevents the public at large from almost knowing what a useful and 

 instructive collection is there stowed away. 



If it were placed in a more accessible situation, and amplified with a 

 larger assortment of Indian products, the benefit to the trade of India 

 would be greatly increased, and it would have a corresponding influence in 

 elevating English taste and in helping English manufacturers to keep their 

 old proper place in the world in the growing competition with other 

 nations. 



This is a matter demanding the attention of the highest statesman- 

 ship, particularly in regard to silk manufacture, which has, I am sorry to 

 say, been on the gradual decline in this country for several years. 



Dated London, the 1st February 1875. 

 'From B. Francis Cobb, Esq., 

 To the Under- Secretary of State for India. 



In accordance with the request contained in your favour of 23rd De- 

 cember, I have placed myself in communication with some of the first dyers 

 of silk in England and France with a view of furnishing you with the 

 methods adopted in dyeing the tusser silk of India. 



I regret to say the information I have to convey is very meagre for the 

 following reasons : — 



In the first place, the prevailing fashion is for the silk in its natural 

 colour ; secondly, the only dyes tried have been useful browns and whites ; 

 and, lastly, the general opinion in this country is that we cannot compete 

 with the natives of India in the dyeing of tussers, especially in bright 

 colours. 



A more profitable industry would be to teach the natives to reel the 

 tussers ; for once imported into this country in the form of skeins, there 



