Several writers, and particularly Monsieur Durand[226], have imagined that Pliny says, painting on linen had never till then been heard of. I think, however, that it is the colossal size of the picture that had not been heard of because we find that, at that very time, it was no uncommon thing to decorate the places for the exhibition of prize-fighters with hangings, on which were pictures of remarkable fights; these, Pliny expressly says, were painted cloths[227], and, were it of consequence, I think passages might be collected to show the great probability that linen cloth was used by painters where works of little durability were required. The preparation with chalk and size must have been the same as that for painting on panel. The use of linen books, for the registering private affairs is mentioned as common, before paper made of the papyrus came into general use[229]. Fronto saw many books of linen preserved in the ancient archives of Anagni[230]. And even after the papyrus and parchment came into use, Pliny mentions that several Eastern nations still made their letters on woven cloth. But is your worship’s folly less than mine, When I with wonder view some rude design In crayons or in charcoal, to invite The crowd to see the gladiators fight? Methinks in very deed they mount the stage, And seem in real combat to engage: Now in strong attitude they dreadful bend, Wounded they wound, they parry and defend. FRANCIS’ HORACE, Book ii. Sat. 7. We are told that both Parrhasius and Zeuxis were in the habit of making drawings on parchment[231]. We know also that Greek herbalists drew and coloured the plants they wrote of in books. It is therefore improbable that they should have overlooked the light, pliable, yet tough material, linen cloth. It might seem less lasting than panel; but for small subjects it was surely preferable either to paper or parchment, and as the use of it was not unknown for writing upon, why should we suppose painters so long neglected it? The Mexicans, though certainly acquainted with the use of painting on wood, used also the prepared skin of a small deer, and the paper made from the Agave Americana; but they preferred cotton cloth, which they prepared with a white shining earth, as they did their paper and parchment, and as the Egyptians prepared their coffins, and the Greek planters their tablets.