THE EARLY HISTOKY OF SILK. 15}) 



in the year 552. These eggs were hatched in due 

 season, by the aid of manure, and the larvoe fed on 

 mulben-y leaves. The caterpillars duly commenced 

 the operations of spinning their cocoons, and, under 

 the superintendence of the monks, successfully bred, 

 and multiplied to a great extent. Afterwards, these 

 monks instructed the llomans in the whole mystery 

 of this propagation, and tlie methods employed by 

 the Chinese in manufacturing fabrics from the exqui- 

 sitely fine filaments spun by the little caterpillars.* 



From the caneful of eggs, thus surreptitiously 

 acquired, have sprung all the Silkworms which are 

 now to be found in almost every country of 

 Western Asia and the South of Europe. These are 

 daily multiplying, and up to the present time, an 

 immensely increased demand for silk has been felt 

 all over the civilized globe ; and an immoral act, 

 which was prompted by the avarice of one man, 

 has proved a blessing to countless thousands, by 

 affording them employment, and a suitable reward 

 for their industry. 



The manufacture of silk at Rome was for a con- 

 siderable time conducted under the care of the 

 treasurer of the rapacious Justinian, who had secret 

 places for carrying on the monopoly ; and the monks 

 instructed weavers, which the Emperor brought from 

 Berytus and Tyre, in the Chinese method of making 



• Paocopius, tie Belli) Gothico, lib. iv. c. 17. 



