Thousands of people
were employed at Florence and Genoa about the same time in the
silk manufacture. And at Venice it was held in such high esteem,
that the business of a silk factory was considered a noble
employment.[1]
It was long before the use of silk became general in England.
"Silk," said an old writer, "does not immediately come hither
from the Worm that spins and makes it, but passes many a Climate,
travels many a Desert, employs many a Hand, loads many a Camel,
and freights many a Ship before it arrives here; and when at last
it comes, it is in return for other manufactures, or in exchange
for our money."[2] It is said that the first pair of silk
stockings was brought into England from Spain, and presented to
Henry VIII. He had before worn hose of cloth. In the third year
of Queen Elizabeth's reign, her tiring woman, Mrs. Montagu,
presented her with a pair of black silk stockings as a New Year's
gift; whereupon her Majesty asked if she could have any more, in
which case she would wear no more cloth stockings. When James
VI. of Scotland received the ambassadors sent to congratulate him
upon his accession to the throne of Great Britain, he asked one
of his lords to lend him his pair of silken hose, that he "might
not appear a scrub before strangers." From these circumstances
it will be observed how rare the wearing of silk was in England.
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