The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-01
SOME WONDERFUL CARPETS.
New and old Specimens Owned by
 London City Companies.

London Telegraph.
 Wilton, like Worcester, will have cause to remember gratefully the coronation year, in the matter of encouragement to the carpet weaving industry. The latter city, as is now generally known, has been called upon to furnish the rich and splen- did floor covering of fine mohar wnlch will be used in Westminster Abbey at the great ceremony itself. From the chief factory of the quiet little town in Wilt shire, whose chief annual excitement IS its sheen fair, the Worshipful CompRAy of Goldsmiths have recently ordered three carpets for their beautiful hall in Foster Lane, which will certainly rank among the finest examples of the craft turned out in recent days. The carpets which these are to replace were lad down as far back as 1885. and sixty-seven years of constant use might well take off their softness and color. The design, however of the old ones, has been exactly repro duced. and in carrying out the elaborate shading no fewer than forty-six different tints have been employed. The largest of the carpets Is intended for the Court drawing room, and measures 40 feet inches by 26 feet 9 inches. Covering space in the center of 10 feet by feet are the arms of the company. surmounted by the crest of figure holding the scales of assay, all being presented in their cor rect heraldic coloring of blue, green, red and purple Between this and the border the design is a small one. carried out in two shades of rich deep crimson. while, surrounding all, are festoons of shaded roses of early Georgian character, with medallions in each corner. Eleven weav- CTS have been engaged upon the work for upward of four months, and it Is scarcely necessary to say that all has been done by hand. It is estimated that $500 000 knots have been used in setting the pile, which as many knots have been employed in is unusually soft and deep. Almost the second carpet, which Is 51 feet inches long by 2S feet inches. while the third measures 36 feet inches by 2S feet inches. The center of these is similar to that of the principal one, In crimson shading. but the coat of arms Is omitted. and the bordering is of scroll device in shades of gold and brown.
 It is well known that many of the city companies possess some distinctive treas ure, and the Holbein picture of the Bar ber-Spurgeons the tapestries of the Dra- pers. and the plate of the Armorers and Brasiers are celebrated. But perhaps the most unique possession is that of the Girdlers, who own certainly the most his toric and valuable carpet in the city, anu llluetu III lto WOIlu E2AdClly tuEtt centuries ago that fine old seadog, James Lancaster, was laying the foundations of British supremacy in India in command of the little squadron that sailed forth for the Governor and Companie of Mer- chauntes of London trading into the East Indies." One of the directors was a cer- tain Robert Bell, who, in 1884, became master of the company. It lis not too much to suppose that he was fully aware of the fame of Eastern rugs, for proc tamation of Charles I. specially referred to the rich carpets of Persia and Cam boya," as being among the imports we were receiving In any case. the worthy book of the company it is recorded that such a carpet was made at the royal fac tory founded by Akbar the Great at La hore. The measurements and design were obviously most carefully supplied. for in the center of the carpet which is eight yards long and two and half yards wide are the companys crest and arms, show Ing St. Lawrence on the gridiron, hold Ing the Bible in one hand and the em- blem of his martyrdom in the other, with the motto, Give thanks to God" At little distance right and left are the masters own arms and introduced into the design are representation of two bales of merchandise, on which are his initials and trademarks. On the expiration of his term of office this entry occurs in the companys books: Also, at this court .4r. Robert Bell did present a very faire, long Turkey carpitt with the Company's Arms thereon, which he freely gave to the use of this company as a remembrance of his love-"
 The gift was evidently a treasured one, for at the time of the great fire, when the hall was destroyed. it was carefully saved, but after that it fell upon evil days, and was used as though it had no greater value than bit of machne-made drugget. About a couple of years ago ot occurred to some members of the court to examine it and to obtai expert ad-