The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1870-04-08
COTTON AND COTTON FABRICS.

cIOtueS tney wear t"e t0H'S '"tt' '''
their families; the beds on which they
sleep; the decorations Of their dwellings;
the binding that covers their literature (;
the flags that designate their nationality,
and even the white sails, which, -npfold-
ing their busy wings, bear to the four
quarters of the Globe the productive in
dustries of various nations and varied
climes.
The uses of cotton were understood Ey
the ancients in the earliest times, and 1t
was manufactured BY them into clolh sew
eral thousand years ago. The process
of weaving the fabric was rude, and at
first very imperfect; but its improve
ment progressed with the spread of in
teligencc and industry. Herodotus de-
scribes this process as existing IN the
year $50 B. C. He speaks of certain
trees of India, bearing, as their tfElt,
hecces more delicate and beautiful than
those of sheep. which were manufactdr-
cd into cloth by the inhabitants Of that
country.
The extension of commerce iutrodu-
ced cotton cloth into the countries of
Greece and Rome. Before the Chris
tan era, it was used in Sicily by Verres,
as a covering for his tents. According
to Livy, Lcntulus Splinter had the hon
or of introducing it to the Roman peo-
pie in the year 63 b. G. He caused
cotton awnings to be used at the theatre,
on the occasion ofthe Apollinarian games,
and the new product was received with
great favor. Caesar atterward was in
strumental in its continued use for the
same purpose. He also covered the Sa-
cred Way from his own house to the
Capitoline hill with it. This spectacle,
it is said, was regarded by the inhabi-
tants as more wonderful than even the
gladiatorial exhibitions.
At the conquest of Mexico, by the
Spaniards, under fernando Cortes, cot
ton was found growing in that country
in great perfection. The native were
clothed in cotton cloth of remarkable
fneness. Cotton and feathers were also
interviewer, and of these materials were
made gorgeous carpets, mantes, gowns,
and drapcry. The Mexicans also made
serviceabIe body arnor, by the use of
which the soldiers of the Empire of Mon
tezuma were rendered more secure
against their enemies. Cotton fabrics
we're also made in Peru. On the advent
of Europeans, the Inca, and other royal
pcrsonages. wore colored vcstments,
with which they made grand display.
Cotton derives its name from the Ara
bic word kotun, which corresponds with
word in Ethiopic and Syrac, which
signifies fine gossypium, or gossamer'
The production is described as growing
in the capsules, or pods of gossypium-
the modern cotton plant. The similar
ity of the Arabic word kotun, and anal
ogus words, for cotton, in other lanGua-
gcs, is quite fully eXcmplified, when We
bear in mind that tho French word is
cotton; the Italian, cotone; and the
Dutch, katoen.
All our ordinary cotton goods are sim
liar to the original manufactured fabrics
of India Many of them bear the names
derived from the places where they were
first manufactured Calico is the gcncr-
ic name for all printed cloths made from
cotton. 1t was originally produced at
Calicut, in India, aud was first exported
from that city in 1881. Chintz is
superior calico, having a variety of fig
uses, bearing at least five different col
ors. AS the quality and strength Of cal
leo increase, it is called respective y,
long cloth, duck, and double warp.
Muslin is distinguished from calico by
its fneness. The name is said to be de-
rived from Masulipatsm, from which
place muSlns were first imported. The
various styles ofEuropcan and American
musIins are known as Organdle, Percalo,
Jaconets, Nainsooks, Victoria Lawns.
Cambrics, Brilliants, Pique, Book Mus-
Inns, Dimity, Swiss Muslins, etc. These
mnsins embrace Ahc white, colored dot
ted, figured, fancy, and striped varie-
tics.
In England, white cotton goods are
called calico. In this country, the words
calico and prints arc synonymous.
India muslins are made of tissue 50
delicate as to appropriately bear the
names given to them in the East, where
they are known as "Woven Wind" and
"Evcning Dew" Tavernier describes
some specimens as so exquisite that they |
we're hardly felt by the hand that held
them the thread, when spun. was scarce
ly discernable. A muslin tissue in the
East India Company's Museum, of TWEEN
~ yards, weighed only one grain. Some
of the finest of these productions make
transparent garments, and fabric made
for turbans, containing one hundred
yards, weighed less than four ounces.
Dacca muslins, made at the city of Dac
ca, in Eastern Bengal, have been for
years imported into England. Their
recommendations are superior softncss,
richness, and durability. The English