Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-03-25
TABLE-CLOTH.

were often assembled the lords and ladies
Of his court, with his own family, which
consisted of several sons and one beauti-
full daughter. He was the most intelli-
gent and powerful monarch of his time
| his dominions were more extensive than
those of the Roman Emperor had ever
been. 1t is more than thousand years
since his death yet his fame will endure
to the end of time.
In the midst of the splendor of his po-
sition he was quite simple in his tastes
and was 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 a page enter, and, on
bended knee, present to his royal master
salver, upon which was carelessly folded
a soiled white table-cloth. Charlemagne,
not in the least surprised, threw it into a
fire, evidently prepared for the purpose.
All eyes were fixed on the fabric, which
did not smoke nor blaze. but only assumed
rcd-hot appearance. A few moments
passed, and the monarch raised it from
the furnace unharmed and white as snow
"A miracle, miracle" they all ex-
claimed.
"No, good friends" answered the king;
''this cloth Is woven Of substance which
fire purifes, but cannot destroy. 1t was
known to the Greeks, who named It as
bestos, meaning unchanged by fire; and
an Italian writer, who had lived hundreds
Of years before our time, speaks Of cloth
made from some vegetable product which
could not be injured by heat Another
mentioned, with apparent sincerity, that
il was manufactured from the hair of GER
tain rats that lived in volcanoes. We
read, also, that the marvellous cloth was
used to wrap the dead before placing them
on the funeral pile, that their ashes might
be gathered separate from those Of the
wood.
Thus spoke the mighty Emperor for
the instruction and edifcation of his
guests.
While Charlcmagnc did not quite par
take of the wild fancics 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 a fbrous variety Of dark
colored rock resembling iron-orc; this IS
known by the name of horn-blendc. Py-
roxcne, another mineral. also assumes this
appearance, but not so often as the former.
We cannot understand how one Of the
toughest stones can be transformed into a
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 beau
tiful form, it was called by the Greeks
amianthus, meaning undehled, in refer
ence to the ease of cleansing 1t by fire.
This name is now used TO distinguish 1t
from the coarser and more impure yare-
ties known as asbestos. 1t occurs in mar
row seams in the rock, and is occasionally
found in fibres two-thirds of yard long.
These have a rich satin lustrc, and the
slender flamcnts can be easily separated
one from the other. \ single one, If
thrown into the FIRE, changes into a drop
of cnsmeled glass, while quantity can
be heated without producing any change.
The silk-like appearance Of amianthus
gave to some ingenious ladies the thought
Of carding. spinning and weaving it into
cloth of different degrees of fineness.-
Purses, gloves, caps. handkerchiefs and
napkins were made OF it, and sometimes
articles were knitted from the soft er-
quisite thread. The inhabitants Of the
Pyrcnees wore girdles of this substance,
mingled 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, ne wore
shirt woven of amianthus, which was
easily cleansed by throwing III into the
fire. In France and Bohemia fremen's
clothes and gloves FOR handling hot iron
were made from it. The Russians have
also attempted the manufacture of incom-
bustible paper At one time it was hoped
that an important branch of industry
might be established for the manufacture
of this delicate and useful fabric; but the
rarity of amianthus and the difficulty of
carding it into durable thread, in conse-
quence of its brittleness, have now caused
articles made from it to be regarded only
as curiosities.
Asbestos, besides being of a coarscr
texture than amianthus, differs from it in
color; the latter is creamy white, while
the former is brown, green and grayish
white. 1t sometimes occurs i'll thin in
terlaced sheets between the cracks and
assures Of rocks, and feels something like
kid; it is then known as mountain leath-
er; when in thicker masses, it is called
mountain cork, referring to its elasticity.
1t is also found very hard and compact,
and then receives the name of ligniform
asbestos, from its resemblance to petrifed
wood.
Asbestos is found in many parts of
Europe and various localities in the Unit
ed States-Staten Island, n. Y, espec-