Litchfield enquirer., 1840-05-07

OrdinatiOn.-Rev. JOHN CHURCHILL, ofthis town.
was on Wednesday Of last week ordained as Pastor
OF the North Congregational Church in WOODBURY.
Introductory prayer by Rev. Mr.. Parsons of New
Preston, Sermon by Rev. Mr. Dutton Of New. Haven,
ordaining prayer by Rev. Mr. Hayes of Washington,
charge to the pastor by Rev. Mr.. Andrews of Wood.
bury right hand of fellowship by Rev. Mr.. Isham of
Roxbury, charge to the people by Rev. Mr. Harrison
of Bethlem, and concluding prayer by Rev. Mr.
Whittemore of Southbury.
ToRRTNGroRD, April 7, 1910.
Mr. Adams--Sir have taken the liberty of adj.
dressing you few lines the subject of the SIX cu
ture. ! Dc not wish in this communication to enter
into the practical details of the business, but would
endeavor to give description, however faint, of the
introduction Of the business into the countries Of west
ern Asia and Europe. In every age variety of pro-
ducGons, both of the animal and vegetable kingdom
have been made use of as coverings to the human
tramc HAIR skins, wool, cotton flax, and at length
silk, by the efforts Of human ingenuity, have suiiccd
to protect, adorn, expose the person. The silk
worm of the was nothing more than the fine hair
or wool by which the mother of pearl afixes itself to
the rock. 1t is now manufactured more for curiosity
than nse but the circumstance Of the gift of robe
from these singular materials by the Roman Emperor
to the satraps Of Armenia, shows the pains taken to
crafty luxury. Until the reign of Justinian, (Empe
ror IN the cast in the year A. D 5S2,) the silk worm
that feeds the leaves of,he mulberry tree had been
confined to China. But there were then common in
the forests Of Asia and Europe silk worms that fed on
the leaves of the pine, oak, and ash trees But as
their produce uncertain, and their education DIFF
fcult, but little was done towards raising silk from
hom except in the little Isle Of Co.'S near the coast of
Atnca Here thin gauze was procured from their
webs, and Cean manufacture the mention Of sro-
man, was long admired both in the East and at Rome
That silk was known to the ancients, appears very
probable, for Virgil the ancient writer, express.
y speaks of the soft cool comhed from the trees of the
Chinese. This natural error, though less marvellous
than the truth, was soon corrected by the knowledge
ola valuable insect, the first arfcer ofthe luxury Of
nations. The price of silk was exorbitant in Rome,
and those only were able to wear it whose immense
fortunes enabled them to purchase it, Aurelian com.
planned that the price Of one pound of silk was twelve
ounces of gold. This rare and elegant luxury was
censurod in the time of Therins by the graves Ro.
mans. And Pliny, in forcibe language, condemns
the thirst of gain which explored the last confines of
the earth for the purpose OF exposing to the public eye
naked drapertes and transparent n,atrons.
In regard to the draining Of the country Of its spe.
Gle to pay for silk Rome was situated similarly to the
United States at the present time. And although
prices do not range quite as high with us as with the
patrcans of Rome, yet the sum of 100000 of dol.
lars sent annually tooreign countries for silk,
is striking evidence of the republican taste and sim.
plicity of these colonies. Sometimes silks that had
been closely woven in China were unravelled by the
Phenician women, and their precious materials null
tpIied by looser texture and the admixture of linen
threads. This silk was procured from China by land
carriage, for silk was light and valuable. If they es-
capped the ten thousand dangers in their way, the
profit was great and certain. The Persians after O
while had the whole control Of the silk commerce,
which they carried On with China through the Isle Of
Ceylon. China was at this time in highly civilized
state full Of cities, mer, mulberry trees and their pre-.
cious inhabitants The Isle Of Ceylon, lying midway
between the two countries, was favorable to the
views of each. II was divided between two hostile
princes; one Of whom possessed the mountains, the
elephants and the luminous carbuncle. The other
enjoyed the more solid riches of domestic industry,
foreign trade, and the capacous harbor Of Trinque.
male, which received and dismissed the fleets of the
east and west.
As silk became indispensable, the Emperor Justin.
ian saw with concern the monopoly of the business
by the Persians. While he was casting in his mind
the expediency ofopening a trade direct to China by
sea, his wishes were gratfed by an unexpected event.
Two Persian monks. who had long resided in China,
Ill "a ,;n -.
dress of the Chinese, the manufactures of silk and
the myriads silk worms. whose education had once
been considered as the labor of queens. Religion or
interest had more influence on these Pereans than
the love of their country They heard OF Justinian's
wishes made journey to Constantinople impart-
ed their project to the Emperor, and were literally
encouraged by him with gifts and promises. They
again entered China, deceived jealous people by
conceaing the eggs Of the silk worm in q hollow
cane, and returned in triumph with the spois Of the
east These eggs were Matched by their direction
with the artificial heat Of dung. The worms were
fed with the leaves of the mulberry they lived and
aborcd in tho new climate. More eggs were then
saved trees were planted, &c. Experiment and re-
Election corrected the Of a attempt 70 that
in few years the Romans excelled even the Chi
nese in tho business. The Romans have in their
turn been surpassed by the inhabitants of the west of
Europe And if our country should adopt the wise
policy pursued by Jus'ninn, feel strong in the be.
lief that the Yankees will eventually beat them ALL
You may possibly hear from me ogain on this sub.
Ject. FRIEND TO THE SILK CULTURE.
The locnl elections in Ohio are decidedly Wing.
Gish--N Y. Journal IF Commerce.
You don't say so When did Won pet IN. sonncy 2
Boston Transcript.
Exr, ,opnyNApy-.It is s,ated that James CITY