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96 INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1S76. in the silk-manufacture, and the few details which we are able to offer in relation to this branch of silk fabrication can be most appropriately given in this connection. So numerous have the establishments be come (twenty-five in Connecticut and Massachusetts, besides those in other States), and necessarily so active is the rivalry between them, that it would be invidious to specialize the several contributions which they have made to the high advancement of this great branch of the silk-manufacture. The first object sought by the early sewing-silk manufacturers was to rival and replace in our markets the Italian sewing-silks in universal use; and the sewings, at first, were put in packages with Italianized labels, simulating Italian sewings. Although dealers had the usual distrust in American productions, our early manufacturers were aided by the long voyages between this country and Europe, which often caused temporary deficiencies in the supply of Italian sewing-silks. By filling up these gaps, our manufacturers got their first hold upon the American markets. At first, only colored silks were attempted ; competition with the superior black sewings of Italy being considered hopeless. Advancing in the fabrication, and attaining a permanent black dye, through its introduction in 1838 by Messrs. Valentine & Leigh, who had been practical dyers in England,—one of whom, Mr. Leigh, still survives,—they undertook a fabric in greater demand,— black sewing-silks in skeins, for tailors’ use. The sewing by the hand, and the simple needle then in sole use, demanded a far less perfect thread than that now required for machine-sewing. Illustrations of the solidarity of the industries are perpetually recurring. The Amer ican invention of the sewing-machine was the inauguration of the sewing-silk manufacture of America, in the forms and proportions which it now holds. The sewing-machine required that silk for its use should be put upon spools, and be of a special manufacture. The proprietors of an establishment in Massachusetts, now famous, know ing the difficulties attending the use of silk threads, as then made, upon the newly-invented sewing-machine, devised the plan of twisting the silk in a direction opposite to that of common or skein sewing- silk. Winding a pound of three-cord silk, thus twisted, upon spools containing one-half ounce each, they submitted it, in 1852, to Mr. Singer, who was then experimenting upon his newly-invented sewing- machine, with which he met difficulties that he could not overcome. We cannot so well describe this important step in the manufacture of sewing-silks as in the language of Mr. Lilly, a proprietor in the estab lishment referred to. The silk was handed to “ Mr. Singer with the request that he would try it. He put a spool upon his machine,