he silent tenant of "the narrow house," all need its
practical services.

Yet have the NEEDLE and its beautiful and useful creations hitherto
remained without their due meed of praise and record, either in sober
prose or sounding rhyme,--while their glittering antithesis, the
scathing and destroying sword, has been the theme of admiring and
exulting record, without limit and without end!

The progress of real civilization is rapidly putting an end to this
false _prestige_ in favour of the "Destructive" weapon, and as rapidly
raising the "Conservative" one in public estimation; and the time
seems at length arrived when that triumph of female ingenuity and
industry, "THE ART OF NEEDLEWORK" may be treated as a fitting subject
of historical and social record--fitting at least for a female hand.

The chief aim of this volume is that of affording a comprehensive
record of the most noticeable facts, and an entertaining and
instructive gathering together of the most curious and pleasing
associations, connected with "THE ART OF NEEDLEWORK," from the
earliest ages to the present day; avoiding entirely the dry
technicalities of the art, yet furnishing an acceptable accessory to
every work-table--a fitting tenant of every boudoir.

The Authoress thinks thus much necessary in explanation of the objects
of a work on what may be called a maiden topic, and she trusts that
that leniency in criticism which is usually accorded to the adventurer
on an unexplored track will not be withheld from her.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
Page
Introductory 1

CHAPTER II.

Early Needlework 11

CHAPTER III.

Needlework of the Tabernacle 23

CHAPTER IV.

Needlework of the Egyptians 32

CHAPTER V.

Needlework of the Greeks and Romans 41

CHAPTER VI.

The Dark Ages.--"Shee-Schools" 56

CHAPTER VII.

Needlework of the Dark Ages 64

CHAPTER VIII.

The Bayeux Tapestry.--Part I. 84

CHAPTER IX.

The Bayeux Tapestry.--Part II. 103

CHAPTER X.

Needlework of the Times of Romance and Chivalry 117

CHAPTER XI.

Tapestry