arrangement of flowers and leaves. The designs of Indian rugs were
frequently named after the original owners, in which cases the weavers
generally lived and worked in the houses of their employers. At the
present time the manufacture of many Indian rugs is carried on largely
in jails, where the old Persian designs are generally used.

In Indian rugs, as in those of other countries, there are certain
distinct characteristics that stamp them as coming from particular
districts, and in India alone are to be detected the few Assyrian types
still in existence. Genuine old India rugs are works of art, but they
are rarely seen.

The religion of the Hindoo does not permit of his tasting the flesh of
sheep; and as India is not a wool-producing country, except in the
northern part, cotton is often substituted. For this reason, and because
the time consumed for weaving is less, Indian rugs are generally less
expensive than Persian.

Mr. Julian Ralph, in an interesting account of his visit to the home of
a prince in India, published in one of our magazines, writes of the
splendid rugs shown him by his host: "They were state rugs, and one was
green with a border of gold that must have weighed twenty pounds or
more. The other was red with a similar border, so stiff and cumbrous
that it did not seem made to walk upon. However, the prince sent for his
stiff-soled heavy-heeled ceremonial shoes which were quite as richly
crusted with gold, and walked about on the rugs, crushing the gold
embroidery in a ruthless way." When Mr. Ralph spoke of the damage, he
said, "It is of no consequence, these borders have to be renewed very
frequently."

An Indian rug of great beauty was taken to England from India by Lord
Clive, who ordered the architect of his magnificent
palace--Claremont--then in process of building, to design a room
especially for it. Such special care for the proper display of this work
of art may be exceptional, but it shows true appreciative power on the
part of Clive.

From the time of the decadence of the industry of weaving fine shawls,
which was so long a feature of Kashmir, the wool of which they were
woven was gradually transferred to the rug industry, and the weavers
turned their attention from the shawls to the rugs, on which they
displayed the same patience and skill.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CERTAIN INDIAN RUGS

_Agra_ sends out very satisfactory rugs. These are mostly of great
weight and thickness. Many of the