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DENMARK. 243 earth. In his youth the most durable and prettiest ground was the old Flemish, much used by the peasants in Germany. It was solid, and passed as an heirloom through several generations. Later, the line needle ground came in, and lastly, the fond clair, or point de Lille, far less solid, but easier to work; hence the lace-makers became less skilful than of old.” They had not many models, and the best workwomen were those who devoted their whole life to one special pattern. Few were found so persevering. One widow, however, is recorded who lived to the age of eighty, and brought up seven children on the produce of a narrow edging, which she sold at sixpence a yard. Each pattern had its trivial name,—cock-eye, spider, lvre, chimney-pot, and feather. The rich farmers’ wives sat at their pillows daily, causing their household duties to be performed by hired servants from North Jutland. Ladies also, a century and a half ago, made it their occupation, as the motto of our chapter, from the drama of Holberg, will show. And this continued till the fashion of “ hvidsom ”— white seaming—the cutwork already alluded to, was for a time revived. This work was, however, looked upon as infra dig. for the wives of functionaries and such like, in whom it was unbecom ing to waste on such employment time that should be devoted to household matters. Our informant tells of a lady in the north who thus embroidered the christening robe of her child by stealth in the kitchen, fearing to be caught by her visitors—cookery had in those days precedence over embroidery. Among the hoards of this child, born 1755, and who died not many years ago, was found a most exquisite collection of old 'londer lace, embracing all the varieties made by her mother and herself, from the thick Flemish to the finest needle-point. The fashion of cutwork still prevails in Denmark, where collars and cuffs, decorated with stars, crosses, and other medkeval designs, are exposed in the sliop-windows of Copenhagen for sale—the work of poor gentlewomen, who, by their needle, thus add a few dollars yearly to their income. From 1830 dates the decline of the Tonder lace. Cotton thread was introduced, and the quality of the fabric was deterio- I'ated. 11 The lace schools were given up ; and the flourishing state 11 Tiinder lacc was celebrated for its durability, the best llax or silk thread only being used.