Peasant Scene. xi Hunters and Dog. xiv The Gypsies--Stevens House, Methuen, Mass. 1 Bandbox (Stage-coach) and Cover--Spencer, Mass. 20 The Grape Harvest. 37 Torches and Censers--Thomaston, Me. 38 Bandbox, Volunteer Fire Brigade--Norwich, Conn. 58 Chariot Race--Detail of Olympic Games paper. 85 Horse Race--Newburyport, Mass. 100 [Illustration] I FROM MUD WALLS AND CANVAS TENTS TO DECORATIVE PAPERS [Illustration] I FROM MUD WALLS AND CANVAS TENTS TO DECORATIVE PAPERS "How very interesting! Most attractive and quite unique! I supposed all such old papers had gone long ago. How did you happen to think of such an odd subject, and how ever could you find so many fine old specimens? Do you know where the very first wall-paper was made?" These are faint echoes of the questions suggested by my collection of photographs of wall-papers of the past. The last inquiry, which I was unable to answer, stimulated me to study, that I might learn something definite as to the origin and development of the art of making such papers. Before this, when fancying I had found a really new theme, I was surprised to discover that every one, from Plato and Socrates to Emerson, Ruskin and Spencer, had carefully gleaned over the same ground, until the amount of material became immense and unmanageable. Not so now. I appealed in vain to several public libraries; they had nothing at all on the subject. Poole's Index--that precious store-house of information--was consulted, but not one magazine article on my theme could be found. I then sent to France, England and Italy, and employed professional lookers-up of difficult topics; but little could be secured. The few who had studied paper hangings were very seldom confident as to positive dates and facts. One would seem safe in starting with China, as paper was certainly invented there, and many of the earliest designs were of Chinese scenes; but the honor is also claimed for Japan and Persia and Egypt. It is difficult to decide in view of the varying testimony. I was assured by a Japanese expert, who consulted a friend for the facts, that neither the Chinese nor the Japanese have ever used paper to cover their walls. At the present day, the inner walls of their houses are plastered white, and usually have a strip of white paper running around the bottom, about a foot and a half high.