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MECHLIN. 101 city, on its part, offered to the empress a collection of its finest lace, on vrai reseau; also a curtain of Brussels point, emblematic °f the birth of the King of Borne, with Cupids supporting the drapery of the cradle. After the battle of Waterloo, Monsieur froyaux, a manufacturer at Brussels, stopped his lace manufactory, and turned it into an hospital for English soldiers. His humane conduct did not go unrewarded: he received a decoration from his sovereign, while his shop was daily crowded with English ladies, who then, and for years after, made a point of purchasing their laces at his establishment. (Coloured Plate VI.) Monsieur -Iroyaux made a large fortune, and retired from business. 36 MECHLIN. “ And if disputes of empire rise between Mechlin, the queen of lace, and Colberteen, ’Tis doubt! ’tis darkness! till suspended Fate Assumes her nod to close the grand debate.” Young, Love oj Fame. “ Now to another scene give place : Enter the Folks with silk and lace, Fresh matter for a world of chat, Right Indian this, right Macklin that.” Swift, Journal of a Modern Lady. “ Mechlin, the finest lace of all! ” Anderson, Origin of Commerce. “ Rose. Pray what may this lace be worth a yard ? Balance. Right Mechlin, by this light! ” Farquhar, The Secruiting Officer. Mechlin is the prettiest of laces, fine, transparent, and effective. It is made in one piece, on the pillow, with various fancy stitches introduced. Its distinguishing feature is the flat thread which forms the flower, and gives to this lace the character of embroidery 36 To afford an idea of the intrinsic value of Brussels lace, we give an estimate of the expense of a fine flounce (volant) of “vrai reseau melange” (point and plat), 12 metres long by 35 centimetres wide (13 r [ yards by 14 inches):— Francs. Cost of the plat 1885-75 Needle point 5000 Open work, “jours ’ (fonnage) .... 390 Applique (stricage) 800 Ground (re'seau) 2782 Footing (engrelure) 1'27 Total 10859 02 = 4341. 7s. 6<2. Equals 361. 3s. 9d. the metre, and the selling price would be about 502. 10s,, which Would make the flounces amount to 6092. 12s.