THE MODERN HISTORY OF SILK. 207 



most approved books upon the subject were widely 

 circulated. 



As the result of their regulations, we find, duiing 

 the three subsequent years, a rapid increase in the 

 quantity of silk ; so that the yearly produce in these 

 military frontiers, and the sums paid by govern- 

 ment to the cultivators, were as follows : — 



lu 180G, — 546 cent. 34 pf. of cocoons, 357,44 fl. Sj kr. 

 1807,— 1066 89|pf. 918,16 fl. 35 kr. 



1808,-1430 93i pf. 130,912 fl. 53f kr. 



These were, however, the periods of its gi-eatest 

 success. Bad seasons followed. In 1810, the quan- 

 tity was reduced to 710 centners, for which 71,705 fl. 

 were paid ; and the same cause, accompanied like- 

 wise with unfavourable political events, has given 

 a very material check to this branch of industry, 

 which appeared to be acquiring importance and 

 stability. The Hungarian character, and the habits 

 of all the peasantry of this countrj', are undoubtedly 

 but little suited to the peculiar attention and minute 

 care which are requisite for the pursuit of an em- 

 ployment so strictly domestic ; and the reward to 

 which they can look with certainty, is but an ina- 

 dequate retui'n for the labour and restraint to which 

 they are subjected. The government has not, indeed, 

 a monopoly in this article : the market is open to 

 any private speculator ; still but few purchasers 

 offer themselves, and the peasant is generally obliged 



