with in many distinct forms. This is not a work on needlework, or we
might tell of the various stitches which are indicative of certain
periods. It is, however, admissible to mention some of the household
curios, the product of such patient labour applied to the skilful
manipulation of silks and threads and cottons and wools, of all colours
and substances, embroidered or worked on canvas or other fabric.

[Illustration: FIG. 76.--THREE OLD WORKBOXES.

(_In the collection of Mr. Phillips, of Hitchin._)]

The mistresses of the old English homes were very industrious. They
worked crewel bed hangings and cross-stitch and tent-stitch upholstery
in the seventeenth century, and in still earlier times richly ornamented
linens and other fabrics with flowers and scriptural subjects. Writing
in reference to Queen Mary, the wife of William III, Sir Charles Sedley
said:--

"When she rode in coach abroad
She was always knotting thread."

And her example was followed by many in humbler circumstances. In later
years women have wrought needlework and beadwork pictures, and have even
threaded their needles with human hair when no silk could be found fine
enough.

Of the permanent ornaments of the home--now valued curios--there are
cases formerly used on a lady's toilet table, embroidered with floss
silk and frequently dated. Some were made to hold devotional books,
others were portable boxes, the covers of which were worked on white
satin with coloured silks and beads, oftentimes scriptural scenes being
depicted in silk; one very favourite scene in the seventeenth century
was the visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon.

Many beautifully embroidered trinket boxes record the patience with
which they were worked, and were undoubtedly a labour of love. Among the
smaller objects, gifts from friend to friend, were pincushions, some of
which bear dates in the seventeenth century. These were worked in
coloured silks on canvas, the ornament often taking the form of a fruit
or flower basket, birds and insects. The favourite material and colour
for the back of such pincushions was yellow satin. A rather pleasing
variety consisted of bag and pincushion worked to match, the two being
united by a cord of plaited silk. Of purses there were many varieties,
chiefly made of coarse canvas worked in cross and tent stitches with
coloured silks and silver threads, couched or laid over silver thread,
and then stitched to the canvas concealing i