The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-07-31
Making Porcelain.


The art Ct making porcelain was G,s-
covered i'm China in the fifth century Of
the Christian era though common earth
enware had been manufactured from tim 2
immemorial. Not until the middle Of the
seventh century. however, did the Celes-
tials begin TO produce in a large way the
beautiful semi-transparent ware which
excited so much admiration in Europe.
Probably tie process was discovered by
an accident. and al first the product was
known as Initiation gem ware " The
name porcelain is Of Portuguese origin.
About the year loco \. d. We're establish
ed the famous porcelain furnaces at King
te-Chin. in the province of Keang-sy,
where all the best china is still made.
employing several thousand operators.
SILK is said 10 have been discovered by a
lady named Chang-TI. wife OF the En-
peror Hoang-Ti Since her day the En-
presses Of China have bred. reared. and
fed silkwOrms as an amusement reeling
the cOr0Ons and weaving The silk In the
gardens Of the palace az Pekn j. a littl-
forest OF mulberry trees. and on the OC-
casiOn Of an annual festival the Empress,
with the principal ladies' of her court,
gathers mulberry leaves for the worms.
Silk in China Is 20 cheap that even lie
Uniform Of he soldiers are made OF H.
The story Of the way in which silk
worms were first brought 10 Europe is
quite romantic, their importance being a.
tE.huted 20 couple Of HISTORIAN monks.
who were employed by the Emperor Jus
tiniaL in the sixth century 10 procure
some Of the eggs Of the worms. A large
reward was promised hem in case of sue
cess. and they are said 10 have brought
the eggs. which they stO.e. 10 Constant
uCple inside Ot a hollow cane having
| learned the art % rearing the worms hey
were able 10 give he necessary irSrr.Io-
ton. and thus The Industry Of sllk-raa king
was introduced Silke1 fabrics had been
| fetched 10 Europe and marketed there GOV
centuries before IL was understood that
the fabric was derived from an insect.
Invention Of GHBpowder.
One Of the most notable Of the arts IN
Of gunpoEder The date q the disco cry
famous traveller Who visited The far Eas,
IN The thirteenth century said o. the De0-
pc: "They raise tempes.s with flashing
| lightning and peals o. thunder" Al rhat
period the explosive substance vas used
| only FOR fireworks. however. From Chin
knowledge Of The art Vas carried - tas
/ ByZantines. who were the first 10 employ
eInpoW1-T in warfare. II became kuOuR
originally ia Europe under th- name ~
/ Greek IRE. and The method q its DFeLar4-
| ton was kept secret for Centuries bv ti@
| Byzantine government. That Greek me
vas essentially The same th!ag a. gun
| powder j. proved Dy recipe given Ia 10
ancient work by a Byzantine named Mar
Gus Gracious, called the Book OF the FIRE
| for Burning the Enemy"
J. vas the Chinese who learned how "a
| produce goldfish By propagation from a
variety OF carp. originally Of gon5lr hu-
ana 10 them II Attributable also The deyel.
! 0pment Of the modern farnyard chicken
who's d0m-siicaIiOn 81 the Fiowery King
dom dates back 10 the earliest dawn o'
/ history. The early ancestor of tn. CHICKEN
Z was d jungle fowl well known 10 seleac-
/ to-day IL sfrikirgiy resembles the mod.
/ ern game chicken. and the drvel0ugner,
| from u Of the various breeds 0f oouI.ry
non recognized may fairly BE- considered
/ one OF the most extraordinary feats 81
human lnseuulty-au achievement IN which
man has practically assumed the part III
creator
The Chinese have shown Themselves
capable Of carrying out the TaOst gigerfte
| undertakings VI these the most notable