fittings.

Cutlery.

The cutler has contributed to the curios of the workbox. The knives and
scissors, bodkins, and stilettos from an old workbox look strangely out
of date when compared with those bought in the shops to-day. The chief
thing that is so noticeable to the critical observer is the cutting of
the steel and the hand ornamentation of those days. Some of the
embroidery scissors were engraved all over with fancy patterns, and
there are some remarkably quaint button-hole scissors, on which the
owner's name or initials were often engraved.

Some time ago an old lady made a small collection of thimbles. It was
not a very expensive hobby, but the variety she secured was truly
remarkable. There were thimbles of bone, ivory, steel, brass, enamel,
silver, and even gold. Some were chased and engraved, some stamped and
punched. There were thimbles of huge size and others with open ends, the
same that sailors use.

It is said that the thimble dates back to 1684, when one Nicholas
Benschoten, of Amsterdam, sent one as a present to a lady friend with
the dedicatory inscription: "To My frouw van Rensclear this little
object which I have invented and executed as a protective covering for
her industrious fingers." It is said the name in this country was
originally "thumb-bell," so called because of the shape being of
bell-like form. Of the thimbles of the wealthy it is recorded there are
thimbles of onyx, mother-o'-pearl, and of gold, encrusted with rubies
and diamonds--the seamstress has, however, to be content with useful if
less costly "baubles."

Quaint Woodwork.

By way of contrast the outfit of the worker often includes wooden
needles and occasionally utensils made of wood, but covered with
evidences of love and tender regard for those who were destined to use
them. The knitter seems to have been peculiarly fortunate, for knitting
sticks and sheaths afforded the amateur carver ample opportunities of
showing his skill; and, like the carved lovespoons, of which there is
such a famous collection in the Cardiff Museum, the knitting sheaths and
sticks seem to indicate that in a similar way the amorous swain gave
vent to his feelings in the curious designs, mottoes, and names which he
carved upon knitting sticks and kindred objects used by the lady of his
choice. In the Victoria and Albert Museum there are some beautiful
boxwood needle sticks; one example is cleverly carved with emblems of
Faith, Hope, and Charity