The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-06-16
lfor the Literary Echo.
The Art OF Weaving---NO. 3.
CA Il j + T s

CARPETS.
Egypt, as I have shown, made rapid
strides in the manufacture of many very
beautiful kinds of textile fabrics, yet in
the time of Joshua, extensive weaving
establishments were found in the land of
Shinar, in the chief city of that district,
ancient Babylon. GA mantle of Shi-
mar" or, as translators have it, GA
Babylonish garment" was secreted by
Achan, from the spoils of Jericho, and
the delinquent speaks of it as the most
valuable part of his plunder. Carpets
and shawls seem to have been the two
chief productions of the Babylonian
looms. Carpets, one of the principal
articles of luxury in Asia from remote
ages, were nowhere so finely woven, and
in such rich colors as at Babylon. Ac-
cording to ant:quarians, many branches
Of this art have been lost for want of re-
cords, viz: that of weaving SIR and serea
ply carpeting by the power of compress
ed air. These kinds were known to the
ancients by the name of IymOlus Mat
ting. We know not when or where the
idea first originated Of inventing such a
luxury. Possibly it may have been con-
veyed to the mind of the inventor by
viewing Natures great handiwork, en-
bellished, and adorned with its myriads
of flowers. On the Babylonian carpets
were woven, or depicted, representations
of those fabulous animals, the dragon,
the griffen, the nightmare in all as ga
rietles, and other unnatural combinations
of form, probably originating in India.
1t was by means of the Babylonian man
ufactures that the knowledge of these
fanciful and imaginary beings was con-
veyed to the western world. Foreign
nations then made use of the Babylonian
carpets in the decoration Of their harems
and royal saloons; but no where was
this species of luxury carried to such an
excess as among the ancient Persans.
With them not only floors, but even beds
and sofas in the houses of the mobiles.
were covered with two or three of these
carpets. The Oldest of their sacred ed
ifces, the tomb of Cyrus at Pasargada,
was ornamented with purple carpet
of Babylonian workmanship. Homer
speaks of a carpet among the luxuries
with which Menelaus, who visited Egypt,
astonished Tclemachus, when he receiv-
ed that prince in the palace of Sparta
&C The seat Of majesty Adraste brings,
With art illustrious for the pomp of kings
To spread the pail beneath the regal chair,
Of softest wool, is bright Acclipe's care"
odyssey rv.
Pieces of carpets of Babylonian man.
ufacture are said to be Low in possession
of persons in Europe. One in Amster-
dam, "fifty-six and half inches long
and thirty-six broad" made like Brus-
sells carpeting, with woollen warp for the
face and linen twine for the back.
1t is true that the progress of almost
any of the arts may be safely taken as
an index of civilization. They are, in
deed, so intimately interviewer, that one
of them can scarcely aourishwithout Civ
ing rise to and receiving support from
the others. This is particularly the
case in regard to the manufacture of
carpets; which, like the other branches
of weaving, is constantly receiving i'm
.portant improvements. The very fact
of the existence of such manufacture
speaks volumes as to the increase of our
domestic comforts.