^56 



SYLYA^^ SKETCHES. 



covered so valuable as Mulberry-leaves. In France, 

 Italy, and some parts of Spain, the White Mulberry is 

 chiefly cultivated for this use ; in Granada, the leaves of 

 the Black Mulberry are preferred. The Persians gene- 

 rally make use of the latter. Mr. Miller was assured by 

 a gentleman who had tried both, that the worms fed with 

 the Black Mulberry produced much the best silk. 



James the First, excited by the success of Henry the 

 Fourth of France, was very earnest to introduce the 

 culture of silk into this country ; and in the year 1608 

 caused a circular letter of his own writing to be sent to 

 the Lord Lieutenant of every county, holding forth the 

 example of France, observing that, from the experience 

 of many private persons who had bred silk-worms for 

 amusement, there appeared no reason to doubt but that 

 they might be nourished and reared in England, if pro- 

 vision was made for planting Mulberry trees ; and desir- 

 ing those whom he addressed to " persuade and require'' 

 such persons as were able, to buy and distribute in the 

 country mulberry plants, to the number of 10,000, which 

 w^ere to be delivered in London at the rate of three 

 farthings each. 



He likewise caused printed instructions to be published 

 for planting and propagating Mulberry trees, and for 

 rearing silk-worms. His Majesty's endeavours did not, 

 however, succeed to any extent ; nor was he much more 

 fortunate in a similar attempt in the American colo- 

 nies. 



Evelyn, speaking of James's ill success, and of the 

 revenue arising to the government of France from the 

 culture of silk, ascribes its progress in that country, not 

 to Henry the Fourth, but to the indefatigable dili- 



