There were square patches, with the patterns matched so exquisitely that
you had to feel the edge before you could realize that the patch was
there; three-cornered "jags" darned so perfectly with their own threads
that they were invisible, and every kind of rent and tear and hole was
treated in its own particular way.

The Japanese sent a number of beautiful designs for embroidery, and a case
full of queer little Japanese garments, but unfortunately they, too, were
made of coarse materials, and looked ugly and uninteresting.

Russia sent Russian lace, and a number of photographs of school children
learning to sew. They also sent some lovely Russian embroidery, but no
plain sewing.

Mexico had a case full of wonderful drawn work; France some wonderful
designs for dresses, and some beautifully finished dress-waists, but the
little under-garments were as coarse as those of Switzerland. This was a
disappointment, because we always suppose that France sets the fashion for
daintiness.

Two very interesting pieces of work had been loaned for the occasion: one,
a sofa cushion worked by Martha Washington; and the other a map of England
and Wales, done in Berlin wools by George Washington's aunt.

The map was beautifully worked, and was a marvel of neatness, with the
counties all outlined in different colors, and their names worked in with
very fine stitches.

Of Martha Washington's handiwork it is hard to speak. It was the ugliest
sofa cushion you can imagine, worked in browns so that it should not show
the dirt, and with such irregular stitches that either Madam Washington
must have been losing her sight when she worked it, or else she was a very
poor needle-woman.

The American exhibit had one wonderful case of work done by the blind. It
consisted of patches with specimens of sewing and running on them, a great
many very fairly done buttonholes, and several little dolls' aprons very
neatly hemmed, and gathered with fine, even gathers.

It seemed impossible to believe that the hands that did this work had no
eyes to guide them. The buttonholes were so well made that they looked
like the work of some careful, clever young children.

What a wonderful age we live in! Fancy bringing the art of teaching to
such perfection that the blind can be taught to sew! Our young folks ought
to be very thankful that they are growing up at a time when teachers
endeavor to make learning a pleasure as well as a profit. G.H.R.

BOO