king gloves, and exported to England for that purpose.

"The next two sections of my figure are, as you see, of a bright scarlet
colour; and, like those two on the opposite side, which are of a rich
dark blue, are made of morocco leather. This is made from the skin of
Spanish goats, carefully tanned with oak bark, and then dyed on the
grain side. The crimson portion owes its hue to being steeped in a bath
with the little cochineal insect; and the blue to indigo. It is then
curried and glazed till it becomes as shining and smooth as you see it.

"Half of my fourth and last section is made of kid that was once pure
white; and of the same kind as that used for ladies' gloves and boots.
But time and rough usage have turned it now to a somewhat dingy hue.
This was made from the skin of a calf, which was carefully steeped in
baths of lime and bran, and then dressed with flour paste, and well
stretched; being finally polished and smoothed with hot irons. This came
from France, and after all this toil and care bestowed upon it, was
beautifully soft and white, as supple as you could desire, and ready to
be made into gloves. The other half of my last portion is formed of what
is called chamois leather, being made from the skin of a lively little
chamois that in vain once fled along Alpine peaks to escape his fleet
hunter. The only part that now remains to account for is the small round
portion at each end, which, from its dark, peculiar, tawny hue and
pleasant scent, you have no doubt recognised as Russia leather. This,
which is so highly prized because insects will not destroy it, or damp
penetrate through it, owes much of its virtue to its being tanned with
the bark of the graceful birch tree.

"I have now, I think, satisfied even my friend the Humming-top, and may
proceed to tell you that these several portions of my frame, coming as
they did from various countries, and owing their colour and texture to
different ways of preparing them, were all stored together in a very
large wholesale warehouse, in a narrow, gloomy lane in the heart of
London. These were all sold out again to travel once more, some to the
glove-making counties; others to great shoe factories; some to makers of
dressing cases and purses; others to grocers in town or country for
polishing plate and glass. With all this general separation, there were
a good many stray pieces, some torn off by accident, others used for
pattern samples, which were always careful