Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-03-02
CHARLEMAGNE'S TABLECLOTH.


Aix-la Chapelle was one of the favorite
residences of Charlemagne. There were
often assembled the lords and ladies OF
his 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. tie more than 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 a grand entertainment
had taken place in the palace, the guests
were amused to see. page enter, and on
bended knee, present to his royal master
salver, upon which was careless!y fold
ed a 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 red-hot appearance.
A few moments passed, and the NOR arch
raised 1t from the furnace unframed and
white as snow.
"A miracle! miracle!" they all ex-
claimed,
"No, good friends" answered the
King" this cloth is woven of a substance
which the fire purifes, but cannot destroy.
1t 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 sin
certify, 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 Eruporer 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 dark
colored rock resembling iren-ore! this
is known by the name of hornblende.
Pyroxene another mineral, also assumes
this appearance, but rot 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-
ful 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 fbres 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 a
drop Of enamelled glass, which can be
heated without producing any change
The silk-like appearance of amianthus
gave to some ingenious ladies the thought
OF carding, spinning ana weaving it into
cloth of different degrees of fneness.
Purses, gloves, caps, handkerchiefs and
napkins were made of it, and sometimes
articles were knitted from the SOFT equis-
tie thread. The inhabitants Of the Pyre-
nees wore girdles of this substance, min
gled with silver, which they esteemed
not only for their beauty, but for some
mysterious charm they were thought to
possess.
When Napoleon went to battle, he
wore shirt woven of amianthus, which
was easily cleansed by throwing tinto the
fire. In France and Bohemia fremen's
clothes and gloves for handling hot iron