The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-11-12
Kid Gloves.

A correspondent of the Boston Adver
t'ser says: hope that some of your read
ers availed themselves of an intimation
contained in recent letter, that owing to
the disturbance to French industry, the
price of kid gloves would probably advance.
On the Sth ladies' gloves with one button
were advanced one dollar per dozen, and
on the 10Th, another dollar; and SO in pro-
portion for other styles. The largest man.
ufacturer for this country is Alexandra,
who supplies one house in New York with
between sixty and seventy thousand dozen
pairs of kid gloves per annum. As his
principal factory for cutting is in Paris,
his shipments have stopped, and his house
states that the resumption will depend on
the contingencies of the war.
Mr.. Muller, who stamps his given name
of Alexandra upon the gloves, when first
known to Mr.. Stewart, was in humble cir
cumstances, needing capital to enlarge his
industry; but his merit being discovered
the want was supplied, and an enormous
establishment is the result. Mr.. Muller
owns hotel in Paris for a winter resi-
dence, and possesses La Grange, with its
sixty bedrooms and fifteen hundred acres
of land distinguished in former years as
the home of Lafayette. His hospitality
corresponds with these important dwell
ings. He manufactures his own cham
o1 hoo, e.
quality.
On visit to mo some years ago he gave
me the history of this manufacture. The
opinion was then quite common that rat
skins were used, which he disposed of very
summarily. Besides other objections, said
he, it is enough to mention that they would
be much too short for the hand. In order
to purchase kid skins he sends out his
agents as early as February to Italy, and
they follow the mountain ranges, keeping
pace with the opening of Spring, until they
reach the plains of the Baltic. Fields
which will carry sheep are not used for the
goat in flocks. The goat is driven up to
nearly the snow line in mountains to feed
on the tender branches of shrubs and trees,
and they are tended and MIXED by class
which is not seen in this country.
In walking up the Alps 1 have found
these interesting fiocks. The horns of the
animal supply handles for knives, it's hair
is used for cloth, it's milk for cheese, its
flesh for food-that Of the young kid being
excellent-and the skin is displayed on fair
hands in all civilized countries. 1t will be
years before this entire industry will be
introduced into the United States. I should
not be surprised if Prussia, availing herself
of the opportunity which the disturbed
industry of France offers. should become
distinguished in this manufacture
The compensation for sewing is too small
to enlist the regular and permanent indus
try of women, and it is resorted to some
what as knitting by hand is among us, at
ordinary labor. The movement of the nee
die is guided by the notches of steel
clamp held by the sewer, who presently ar
rives at the experience which permits the
work to be done while conversation is en-
gaging part of the attention, and indeed
while the eye is directed to another quar-
ter. 1t is owing to this facility that slight
reward for labor is exacted. The sewers
are distributed all over France, and receive
the material, cut out with precision, and
put up in bundles of dozen pairs.
In order to conduct the distribution of
the gloves here with advantage, their form,
color, and shade are fixed upon here
Colors which were in demand a year ago
are rejected now, and others have taken
their place. The closest attention to the
probable variations in the public taste must
lie observed. You would be surprised to
see the sample-book shades furnished for
the purpose of preparing orders. They
represent every tint which our knowledge
of nature and art supplies.
No one is competent to say when this
branch of industry in Paris will be fully
resumed. The vicissitudes of war will
not reach it to the extent of damaging the
consumer, so far as the manufacture of
Alexandra is concerned, for his gloves are
not used at home. 1t may therefore be
rapidly restored on the cessation or hostil-
tiles. English gloves have not advanced.