Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-29

Consul Piatt Tells Some Interesting
Facts About the Industry.

"Irish Lace" is the title OF an exceedingly in
teresting special report Just made to the De-
partment Of State by United States Consul Jno.
J. Piatt, at Cork He explains that this pro-
duct, already somewhat celebrated, is attract
ing after tion just now from those interested in
the cultivation of the manufacture OF lace and
embroidery for decorative purposes. He di-
vides Irish lace into eight classes: Flat needle
point lace, raised needle-point lace, embroid-
cry on net, cut cambria, drawn thread work,
eroehet-work, pillow lace, tatting.
He says that fat needle-point lace is of the
first importance, as the method of making is
precisely that adopted by the italian workers
OF the sixteenth century, process which lends
itself to the expression of the most fancful ideas
of the artist, designer and worker.
Many of the most valuable specimens Of an
cient needle point at present in existence have
been reproduced by Irish lace-workers with
success, notably hounce made at the Convent
Youghal to order of Mr. Ben Lindsay, Dublin,
who supplied the original, while modern de-
signs. In fine renaissance pattern, have been
executed at the Convent Of Poor Clares, Ken
mare.
Raised needle-point lace, termed Innshmac-
saint lace, Is made in the district bearing this
name, near Tough Fine, County Fermanagh;
also at the Carmelite convent, WexfORd, and al
CaPpoquin, County Waterford The articles
mainly produced at the present time are
founces. trimmings, handkerchief borders and
collarettes. Though this lace is, comparatively
speaking, high in price the annual output at the
various centers Of production scarcely averages
sl4,599.5 80.
LIMERICK LACE.
Limerick has long been noted for its manu-
facture of a lace which is of distinct charac-
ter from that already mentioned, being simply
an embroidery on net, with either chain or
darning stitch. 1t possesses the merit of being
extremely light and adapted to good display OF
pattern at a low price. Prior to the develop
ment of machine looms for lace making and
the improvements lately made in the embroid.
cry districts of Plauen (Saxony) this industry
had been OF considerable importance Re-
Gently, however. by the attention given to the
Improvement of designs and workmanship, il
Is likely TO be again popular in public favor.
Lace made by a similar method. but in some
respects resembling point. is made at Carrick-
macross; IL rs termed applique and closely re-
sembled the old point d'Angleterre, consisting
I of floral devises applied on mesh grounds
Though this lace has been produced in this dis
trict for the past forty years, few improve.
ments in design have been made
Workers In this district also produce lace
consisting of guipured cambria, the pattern
being outlined by cordonnet or thread anS
the ground cut away as in embroidery thu
motifs" being held together by single thread
generally ornamented by loops or picots.
Comparatively little pillow lace is made in
Ireland and that only of the simplest descrip-
ton, known as torchon.
4 pretty notion in needle-work, called frivo
lite by the French ladies who practice it, il
made at Ardee, County Louth, under the name
OF tatting.
CROCHET WORK.
"The south Of Ireland" Mr.. Pratt writes
''has long been recognized as the principal sea-
Of Irish erschet work. 1t was introduced intt
this country as means Of providing employ
n;ent for the poor peasants during the famine
period Of tS47, and has since fourished. tn,
art was taught through schools, converts. and
benevolent individuals but does not appear. te
have been taken up on regular commercial
principles until ten years later. About 1860
/ two recognized dealers were established In
| Cork, who exported large quantities to Eng
land; the class Of work produced was excellent
and good prices were obtained, the article,
being novel, with little competition with ma
chine-made products, 30 severe in later days
The south Of Ireland is distinctly favorable
for lace making as a cottage industry, the dis
trict being largely agricultural While the
| male members of a family are engaged ont Of
doors during the day the wife and daughter
are. enabled to devote their time advan
tageousiy in the house In many instances Il
occurs that, owing to enforced idleness on thu
part Of the bread-winners, the small income
| gained by the female members remains thu
sole support Of the family. II Ia worthy O.
note that when this industry became depressed
| in 1883 large numbers OF workers enaigrated 4
America and great distress prevailed among
those at home. During its prosperous period
the earnings OF the daughters Of the hous<
| served to keep the roof over their heads and
| instances are known where il contributed
largely to paythe rent of the little holding and
keep on for time the advent Of an evil day.
Apart from these considerations The infu
cnce Of such work u highly valuable 81 an edu
and cleanliness are cultivated, and cheerful
tone Of consentmeut prevails in the household
tho children OF the family being kept together
influence each other tndeS the Immediate
supervision Of the pareukn