Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-05-10
LACE MAKING IN sAxoNY.


Special 10 he Journal and Salesman. ,ao,
SAxoNY, April 10, 1887.
HENRY EoKBI, EsQ.-DeGr Sri lake
the liberty Of sending you short but true
history of Lace Making. ! hope IT may pc
interesting to you or your friends, who have
never had the opportunity OF Wishing the oiu
world and seeing for themselves
Die Spitzenkloppelerein- The Lace Maker.
In the southern part Of the kingdom OF
Saxony is a range of mountains, known by
the name of Erzgebierge-or Metalliierous
mountains-near which, and in the valley,
is the town of Annaberg, aud close ny, a
small village inhabited only by people iol-
lowing the trade Of Lace Making.
The houses occupied by these poor crea-
lures, and in which they follow their probes,
sion are made OF species OF adobe or muu
mixed with straw, over which is spread
coating of lime. The only security from the
weather, being a roof of thatch. The entrance
is secured by door divided into two parts,
and instead OF swinging on hinges, is raised
by means of cord and pulley. Each house
contains seldom more than one room, when
is occupied by as many as eight or len per-
/ sons, who share the accommodations equal
| ". The floor is laid out in squares, by chalk
or string, and each member oil the house,
hold has an allotted spot for working ana
sleeping quarters.
4
the lace is made is of linen, filled with straw
or hair, and resembles, in shape, lady's
muff. On this cushion is placed the pattern
to be worked, filled with large number oil
pins, perpendicularly arranged, and IN guam
iuy according to the breadth of the pattern,
looking like miniature Forest and IN many
cases. several hundred in number. 10 each
pm is attached thread Of silk or linen, as
the case may require, one end OF the thread
| IN nd arpnud "a niece Ol
cherry wood, over which is cylinder 10
protect it from being soiled. Behind tho
cushion iB lamp, before which is globt
filed with water. the light is reflected snc
spreads evenly over the work.
t Now, as we know the process of making TIT
Lace, we must look into the life the worker
As q rule these girls are delicate and do no
f enjoy long existence. Their hands arr
small and beautifully white-for they mus
. keep themselves from oil work other thai
their trade; ii is also impossible 10 work a
l. their profession should their hands become
8 rough
v The miserable abode is the least of thei
% troubles They arise at four a. M, an
work almost necessarily until ten p. nj.
!" IS true they have their three meals, il W
Is might so call them, per day, but they consi'
1t almost entirely OF potatoes and salt, togelhe
i. with drink of corn and chickery mixed, I
the Spring and Autumn, ms the fields Al
ploughed, there is root unearthed Gale
Erdmandel this they collect, roast and max
- what is called Erdmnndel coffee The luxur
OF of meat or eggs is almost unknown
"a The best of these workers can max
~ but about eight cents per day. Tht
p. they go from morn till night, day after da
I'D and year after year, earning scarcely enoug
el TO hold body and soul together and passir
al a miserable existence.
Is will now give you the history of the Il
VI yention Of this Lace, as II was given TO m
lis In the year 1861 there lived in Annaber
a woman named Barbara uttmann, she WI
very poor and the only support OF lar
ew family. Starvation drove her to begging, al
If she applied to rich lady, OF the neighbt
= hood, for assistance. The lady showed h
IN a veil of Brabrant Lace, and told her il s.
'rk would make one like that for her to wear
ON wedding, which was to take place in thr
IN weeks time, she would provide for hi
- Barbara, almost in despair, accepted u
ORE last resort, though at the same time thinkil
she would fail. She went home, shut hi
81. self up In room for three days, wltho
ne seeing any one, and at the end of that Iii
ing she had mastered the great undertake.
Ged Her success spread throughout the COUNT
nu- when she was so overwhelmed with VIC
10 that ii became necessary for her 10 star
Il 10, tl... ~ ct "a
scnool anu give lessohs III thc All vi Le
at making.
we Barbara's ashes are now at rest IN
ave little church yard at Annaberg. The 81
,ho is suitably marked, and should any one hf
curiosity 10 pass that way will see tg'
llch in marble bending over the kloppelkiss
lay, Children are taken at the age OF five ye
IN to be taught, and after long experience, wi
nov arriving at IA years are competent to WI
nVi on the finer lace. II there is the least D
lay take in the pattern or ii is in any way soil
the then the poor worker must be the loser,
the How little do our ladies think when
NJ ranging thatlovtly collar, or covering the
iiew sirhs It drew forth or lie many tears il c
line And whilst admiring their last purchase
emo they ever ask themselves OF its history
viii think of the misery of the poor Spizenk
WI, pelerein? w, L., il