The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-03-05
CHARLEMAGNE'S TABLECLOTH.

Aix-la Chapelle was one of the favorite
residences of Charlemagne. There were
often assembled the lords and ladies or
bis court, with his own family, whic h
consisted of several sons and one Deauti
full daughter. He was the most intelli-
gent and powerful monarch Ct his time
his dominions were more extensive than
those of the Roman Emperors had ever
been. it's more than a thousand wears
since his death, yet his fame will endure
to the end Of time.
In the midst CT the splendor of his
position he was quite simple in his tastes
and particularly devoted to literature
and science. Among his most intimate
friends and admirers were men renowned
for their learning.
One day, after grand entertainment
had taken place in the palace, the guests
were amused to see page enter, and on
Bonded knee, present to his royal master
salver, upon which was careless!y fold
ed soiled white table-cloth. Charlie.
mango, not in the least surprised, threw
it into fire, evidently prepared for the
purpose. All eyes were fixed on the
fabric, which did not smoke nor blaze,
but only assumed a red-hot appearance.
A few moments passed, and the mora1ch
raised it from the furnace unframed and
white as snow.
"A miracle! a miracle!" they all ex-
claimed,
mo, good friands," answered the
King" this cloth is woven of a substance
which the fire purifes, but cannot destroy.
It was known to the Greeks, who named
it asbestos, meaning unchanged by fire;
and an Italian writer, who had lived
hundreds of years before our time, speaks
of cloth made from vegetable products
which could not be injured by heat.
Another mentioned, with apparent sim
cerity, that it was manufactured from
the hair of certain rats that lived in vol
Canoes We read also, that the marvel
GUS cloth was used to wrap the dead be-
fore placing them on the funeral pile,
that their ashes might be gathered sepa-
rate from those Of the wood.'
Thus spoke the mighty Emperor for
the instruction and edifcation Of his
guests.
While Charlemange did not quite par
take of the wild fancies of the Southern
nations, it is not probable that he had a
clear idea of the real structure of this
mysterious substance. As time advanced,
it was fully understood; and now that it
has become of practical use, we cannot
glance at a newspaper without seeing
the advertisement, "Asbestos Materials"
Asbestos IS fibrous variety Of a dark
colored rock resembling iren-ore this
is known by the name OF hornblende.
PyrOxene, another mineral, also assumes
this appearance, but not so often as the
former.
We cannot understand how one of the
toughest stones can he transformed into
substance as soft, flexible and white as
floss silk; neither can we comprehend
how the sparkling diamond is produced
from charcoal. Yet we must accept these
facts and try to learn all about them.
When the hard rock took this beauti-
full form, it was called by the Greeks
amianthus, meaning indebted, in refer
ence to the ease of cleansing it by fire
This name is now used to distinguish it
from the coarser and more impure varie-
ty known as asbestos. It occurs in mar
now seams in the rock, and is occasion.
ally found in fibres two-thirds of YARD
long. These have rich satin luster and
the slender flaments can easily be sepa.
rated one from the other. A single one
if thrown into the fire, changes into .
drop of enamelled glass, which can b.
heated without producing any change.
The silk-like appearance of amianthu
gave to some ingenious ladies the though
Of carding, spinning ana weaving it int
cloth of different degrees Of fneness
Purses, gloves, caps, handkerchiefs ant
napkins were made Of it, and sometime
articles were knitted from the soft, equis
tie thread. The inhabitants of the Pyre