THE IIISTORV OF SILK. 1()5 



knowledge of this important trade found its way 

 through all parts of Eiu-ope. We have seen that, 

 for the long period of six hundred years, this manu- 

 facture was confined to the Roman power, and care- 

 fully kept secret from neighbouring states. 



In the short period of twenty years, we are 

 informed that the Sicilians had attained a much 

 higher degree of perfection in the manufacture of 

 silk than the Greeks, both as to splendour and 

 diversity of the patterns, and the brilliancy of the 

 coloui's. They introduced into different textures 

 golden threads, wrought into fanciful figures ; and in 

 other fabrics, pearls were intermingled. From this 

 period may be dated a decided improvement in the 

 national character and prosperity of that kingdom, 

 which now became the centre of attraction to the 

 whole western hemisphere. It now began to spread 

 itself all over Italy, where it became an article of 

 great commercial importance, and continues to this 

 day a staple commodity.* 



It is quite certain, that in the year 1306, the 

 progress of rearing Silkworms had arrived at such 

 a pitch in Modena, that the manufacture of silk 

 contributed largely to the revenue of the state, and 

 was considered the best which was made in Lom- 

 bardy. Whether to augment the revenue, or to 



* Otho Friesinff, De Gest. Frederki. 1. i. cap. 33. 



